The BBC and Starz Entertainment – who co produced the latest series of Torchwood have green-lit a new original adventure series titled Da Vinci’s Demons.
This is the first project to enter production under the multi-year agreement Starz signed with BBC Worldwide Productions earlier this summer, unlike the Torchwood project which was just 10 episodes.
Written by David S. Goyer, co-writer of blockbuster and critically acclaimed films Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and writer of the highly anticipated Man Of Steel, the eight-episode series is scheduled to begin production in early 2012.
Da Vinci’s Demons is David Goyer’s historical fantasy, following the “untold” story of the world’s greatest genius during his raucous youth in Renaissance Florence.
Brash and brilliant, the 25-year-old da Vinci is an artist, inventor, swordsman, lover, dreamer and idealist. As a free thinker, with intellect and talents that are almost superhuman, he struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time. He begins to not only see the future, but invent it.
David Goyer said: “Da Vinci was the original Renaissance man ? a near-mythic figure that has worldwide appeal. After working with characters like Batman and Superman, it made a strange kind of sense for me to dive into the facts and legends swirling around his origins. This will be a show about secret histories, genius, madness, and all things profane.
“And I’m particularly excited that I get to do it on premium cable, where the story can be as dark and challenging and irreverent as it deserves to be. Starz and BBC Worldwide Productions have been nothing but supportive.”
Jane Tranter, Head of BBC Worldwide Productions, said: “The young life of this incredibly complex and brilliant man has not yet been explored. With David Goyer, whose imagination has created juggernaut and iconic theatrical features, coupled with the premium presence of Chris Albrecht, Carmi Zlotnik and their Starz team, we couldn’t be more passionate about bringing this story to US viewers and international audiences.”
Starz is expected to air the worldwide broadcast premiere in 2013. BBC Worldwide will distribute the series internationally. David S. Goyer is showrunner. Torchwood’s Julie Gardner will serve as Executive Producer, along with BBC Worldwide Productions’ Head Jane Tranter.
Da Vinci’s Demons is the latest piece of distinguished, exclusive original programming announced from Starz. Boss, starring Kelsey Grammer and produced by Lionsgate, debuted on 21 October. Spartacus: Vengeance, season two of the breakout worldwide hit, returns in January 2012 and the much-anticipated Magic City debuts in April 2012.
Tranter and Gardner have been responsible for a plethora of titles in their careers including Doctor Who, Torchwood, Little Dorrit, Bleak House, Girl In A Caf?, Ashes To Ashes and State Of Play. Torchwood: Miracle Day was the first scripted series produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, and recently wrapped its run on Starz.
