Zayn Malik and Dick Wolf are teaming up to develop a fictionalized series about the rise of a boy band at NBC, TheWrap has learned.
“Boys” will be written by Sherri Cooper Landsman and Jennifer Levin, who will executive produce alongside Malik, Wolf and his wife Noelle Wolf. The project was brought to NBC by Noelle Wolf with Amanda Ghost (Unigram), Gregor Cameron (Unigram) and Sarah Stennett (First Access Entertainment) attached.
“We were intrigued by the synergistic potential that Zayn brings to the project,” Noelle Wolfe said in a statement. “‘Boys’ will be a show that’s totally integrated on broadcast and digital platforms. Casting and original music will be major components, giving the show promotional potential on multiple levels.”
The drama follows the formation of a hugely successful boy band and captures all the excitement, competition and fun, but also provides an inside look into the pressure that follows.
Malik brings firsthand knowledge of such a scenario, having been a founding member of boy band One Direction until he left the group last year.
Stennett will serve as executive music producer and, in partnership with NBCUniversal, will manage all music rights generated by the series.
Dick and Noelle Wolf, Malik, Ghost, and Peter Jankowski are also executive producers. Cameron will co-executive produce.
Wolf is the creator and executive producer behind NBC’s successful “Chicago” franchise, with “Chicago Law” joining “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago PD” and “Chicago Med” this fall. He is also the man behind the network’s long-running “Law & Order: SVU.”