NBC picked up its third drama pilot this week, greenlighting an untitled crime drama from writer/executive producers Dean Georgis (Quantum Leap) and John Foxx (The Equalizer).
Universal TV, a Universal Studios Group company, is the show’s studio, with executive producer John Davis also producing through his Davis Entertainment single. According to the logline, the show revolves around Professor Georgia Ryan, “a pioneering psychologist who challenges the field of criminology by shifting the focus of investigations from perpetrators to victims in order to uncover important clues left behind by traditional methods. Together with her team, this pioneering expert turns to the FBI to solve the most mysterious and elusive cases.”
The character of Ryan is inspired by the real-life work of profiler and author Dr. Anne Burgess. A forensic nurse, Burgess pioneered the trauma assessment and treatment of rape victims. Her work with victims of sexual abuse then led her to work with the FBI’s behavioral science division.
Burgess is attached to the NBC pilot as a consulting producer, as is Stephen Constantine. Burgess and Constantine co-authored the book A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal Mind, which chronicles Burgess’ work helping the FBI profile serial killers. Last year, the two wrote Expert Witness: The Weight of Our Testimony When Justice Hangs in the Balance.
Burgess has consulted on cases involving Bill Cosby, the Menendez brothers, and other celebrities. For her accomplishments, she has received honors such as being named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing.
In addition to the “Quantum Leap” revival, Georgalis’ credits include “The Meg” and “The Meg 2,” “The Baker and the Beauty” and “Bluff City Law.” Fox credits include “The Blacklist” and the updated “Magnum P.I.”
With this week’s pilot orders, NBC is aiming to bring back the feel of pilot seasons of old. Earlier this week, NBC gave a pilot order to “Protection,” written by Josh Safran and about the family of a law enforcement officer who becomes the target of a mysterious assassin. The Safran executive is producing the film along with Jenna Bush Hager and Ben Spector. NBC also picked up the pilot for the Rockford Files reboot from writer/executive producer Mike Daniels and executive producers Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman. These two pilots also come from Universal TV.
