“CSI” showrunner and executive producer Carol Mendelsohn and producing partner Julie Weitz have struck a multi-year first-look broadcast direct deal with Fox Entertainment, president of entertainment Michael Thorn announced at MIPCOM Cannes. The duo’s previous deal with Universal Television is now over.
Under the terms, Mendelsohn and Weitz will develop scripted dramas for the Fox. Greenlit programs will be wholly owned by Fox Entertainment, and Mendelsohn and Weitz will serve as executive producers under their Carol Mendelsohn Productions banner.
Additionally, Fox’s studio arm has optioned the book, “The Bomb Maker,” written by the prolific novelist Thomas Perry (who penned “The Old Man,” which got a series adaptation starring Jeff Bridges), with Mendelsohn and Weitz serving as executive producers on the project. Fox Entertainment Studios is currently meeting with potential writers. The show follows former commander Dick Stahl, who is called in after the majority of the LAPD Bomb Squad is killed by a house bomb. On his first day back, the now three-person team is dispatched to a suspected car bomb, and it becomes self-evident that they are dealing with an unusual criminal mastermind ― one whose intended target appears to be the Bomb Squad itself.
Mendelsohn previously attempted an adaptation of the book at Fox five years ago, with Morris Chestnut in a starring role. At the time, the project was under Sony Pictures Television, where Mendelsohn was under an overall deal.
“Carol is one of the great architects of broadcast television’s most influential and longstanding dramas. Together with Julie, we have two of the most talented, respected producers in the industry; and we are excited to bring their creativity and powerful storytelling to FOX, starting with their development of The Bomb Maker,” Thorn said in a statement. “This deal underscores our pledge to being home to the best creators in the business, while offering them creative flexibility and a direct relationship with our network and programming team, which are rare commodities in today’s marketplace.”
Mendelsohn added, “There was an instant meeting of the minds when Julie and I sat down with Michael Thorn and Brooke Bowman [head of drama at Fox]. This is a uniquely creative opportunity for us and we’re excited by our new partnership and all its possibilities.”
In addition to spearheading “CSI,” Mendelsohn co-created and executive produced its spinoffs “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: NY” and “CSI: Cyber.” Weitz and Mendelsohn have executive produced multiple pilots for broadcast and cable, including “Chiefs,” “Doomsday” and “The Jury,” as well as the series “Game of Silence” and “Dogs in the City.”
Both Mendelsohn and Weitz were announced to be in early development for dramas “Honor” (based on Swedish series “Heder”) for NBC and “Body Farm” for CBS in December 2021, under the duo’s exclusive overall deal with Universal Television. That deal was made in 2018 and is now terminated. That year, the duo had chosen not to re-up their four-year Sony Pictures TV agreement after challenges at the production company.
Mendelsohn is represented by WME, TFC Management and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein.
