Greg Berlanti Magician Crime Drama ‘Deception’ Gets Pilot Order at ABC
Network also orders futuristic refugee drama from Dan Dworkin & Jay Beattie
Reid Nakamura | January 19, 2017 @ 3:45 PM
Last Updated: January 19, 2017 @ 3:59 PM
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ABC has given pilot orders to two new drama series, the network announced on Thursday.
The network has ordered pilots for the FBI crime drama “Deception,” from writer Chris Fedak and executive producer Greg Berlanti, as well as the time-travel refugee drama “The Crossing” from “Scream: The TV Series” duo Dan Dworkin & Jay Beattie.
“Deception” follows the disgraced superstar magician Cameron Black. When his career is ruined by scandal, he has only one place to turn to practice his art of deception, illusion and influence — the FBI. He’ll become the world’s first consulting illusionist, helping the government solve crimes that defy explanation and trap criminals and spies by using deception.
Produced by Berlanti Productions and Quinn’s House in association with Warner Bros. Television, “Deception” is executive produced by Fedak, Berlanti, Martin Gero and Sarah Schechter. David Kwong serves as co-producer.
“The Crossing” hails from ABC Studios and is executive produced by Dworking and Beattie alongside Jason Reed.
The series is set in a town where refugees from a war-torn America 250 years in the future start showing up to seek asylum. The local sheriff with a past, a federal agent, and a mother in search of her missing refugee daughter drive this allegory with a surprising conspiracy at the center.
The two series are the third and fourth dramas ordered to pilot by ABC. The network previously ordered an untitled Shondaland legal drama from “Scandal” writer Paul William Davies, as well as a Reba McEntire-led crime drama from “Desperate Housewives” and “Devious Maids” creator Marc Cherry.
On the comedy side, the network also has “Libby and Malcolm,” starring Felicity Huffman and Courtney B. Vance, from “Black-ish” creator Kenya Baris and Vijal Patel.
The network has also given out straight-to-series orders to Marvel’s “Inhumans” murder drama “Somewhere Between” from writer and executive producer Stephen Tolkin.
17 Breakout TV Stars to Watch for In 2017, From Ricky Whittle to Rose Leslie (Photos)
Another year, another crop of TV stars ready to steal audiences' hearts and attentions. Here are 17 up-and-comers we're keeping an eye on in 2017.
Camila Mendes, "Riverdale" The entire cast of The CW's teen drama are about to become huge stars, but our safe bet is on Mendes, the new Veronica Lodge, the troubled bad girl whose arrival in town coincides with some big changes for Archie and his friends.
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Corey Hawkins, "24: Legacy" Stepping into Kiefer Sutherland's shoes is no small task, but could reap big rewards for Hawkins, who's been poised for a breakout since last summer's hit "Straight Outta Compton."
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Sonequa Martin-Green, "Star Trek Discovery" We don't know anything about the new "Star Trek" series ... but it's a new "Star Trek" series, and if you're the star of it, you're going to have a big breakout moment.
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Ricky Whittle, "American Gods" Bringing a sizable fanbase from "The 100" with him, Whittle is set to endear a whole new set of rabid fans in Bryan Fuller's Neil Gaiman adaptation.
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Rachel Keller, "Legion" After impressing Noah Hawley on "Fargo," the showrunner is giving Keller an even bigger breakout platform, as the female lead opposite Dan Stevens in FX's X-Men superhero series.
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Finn Jones, "Iron Fist" Marvel's latest superhero will do his best to keep up with the likes of "Daredevil," "Jessica Jones" and "Luke Cage," all of whom have been breakout stars and critical and fan favorites.
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Jermaine Fowler, "Superior Donuts" CBS has been high on the stand-up comedian and retooled this sitcom for him twice before ordering it to series - time for the world to see Fowler's talents.
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Rose Leslie, "The Good Fight" This "Game of Thrones" alum no longer has to share the spotlight with a cast of thousands as the lead of CBS All Access' "The Good Wife" spinoff.
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Jacob Lofland, "The Son" As the younger version of the central character, Lofland is central to the sprawling Texas-set family drama, setting the groundwork for his character to grow up to be Pierce Brosnan.
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Allison Tolman, "Downward Dog" After her impressive turn on "Fargo," it's about time Tolman got her own show - hopefully that talking pooch doesn't hog all the limelight.
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Austin P. Mckenzie, "When We Rise" The Broadway alum plays a young LGBT activist in Dustin Lance Black's chronicle of the early days of the gay movement.
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Logan Browning, "Dear White People" The Justin Simien movie made Tessa Thompson a breakout star, and Browning is set to take over the role in the Netflix series.
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Dylan Minnette, "13 Reasons Why" The "Goosebumps" star plays the lead in the long-gestating Jay Asher YA novel, from producer Selena Gomez.
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Pearl Mackie, "Doctor Who" The new Doctor's Companion should prepare herself to become a star. Just ask her predecessors Karen Gillan and Jenna Coleman.
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Freddie Stroma, "Time After Time" After endearing audiences on "UnREAL," Stroma takes a lead role as H.G. Wells in Kevin Williamson's "Time After Time."
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Another year, another crop of TV stars ready to steal audiences' hearts and attentions. Here are 17 up-and-comers we're keeping an eye on in 2017.