Another day, another story about horror taking over your television. Hot on the heels of former Walking Dead showrunner Glen Mazzara scripting a Damien requel for Lifetime, another lady-centric network is getting in on the action.
WE tv–currently home to a different kind of scary reality shows like Braxton Family Reunion, Kendra on Top, and Bridezillas–has ordered eight episodes of the scripted horror drama South of Hell from Sonar Entertainment and Blumhouse Television, according to Variety. Horror master Eli Roth will direct the pilot episode, based on a script by Matt Lambert. Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions will executive produce alongside Dexter alum and South of Hell showrunner, James Manos, Jr.
WE tv’s president Marc Juris explained the seemingly unlikely partnership, saying, “As WE tv moves firmly into scripted programming, we are committed to presenting distinctive and engaging stories to todayâs savvy TV audience. That is certainly the case with South of Hell, a dramatic thriller that introduces viewers to an unforgettable character, supernatural themes and the battle between good and evil.â
South of Hell will not be the first scripted series on WE tv however, with political drama The Divide making its debut in July. South of Hell is expected sometime in 2015.
WGN has Salem, A&E has Bates Motel, Lifetime is getting Damien and now WE tv will have South of Hell. To WE tv’s benefit, Eli Roth and Jason Blum do not seem like the type who pull punches with their material. If I had to guess, Roth and Blum made the deal with the unconventional network because they were offered carte blanche to go as crazy as they wanted.
What do you all think? Do you watch any of these horror shows on random cable networks? Would the promise of The Walking Dead‘s Mazzara or Eli Roth and Jason Blum bring you over to Lifetime or WE tv? We want to know in the comments below!
A good show is a good show, but I can’t imagine it won’t involve the same old We/Lifetime plot of, All men are evil, woman is wronged, woman takes her power back. But with magic. Or demons. Evil male ones. Or something.