Joss Whedon making sci-fi drama “The Nevers” for HBO
By Corey Smith
Perhaps looking to expand its portfolio of content in the wake of being bought out by AT&T, HBO is adding another high-profile show to its lineup, which is already stacked with shows like Westworld, an upcoming Watchmen series, and at least one Game of Thrones prequel. That show is The Nevers, “an epic science fiction drama about a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world,” according to Entertainment Weekly. Joss Whedon, the guy behind shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly, as well as the director of the first two Avengers movies, is behind it.
Whedon will serve as showrunner, and sounds enthused to get back into TV. “I honestly couldn’t be more excited,” he said. “The Nevers is maybe the most ambitious narrative I’ve created, and I can’t imagine a better home for it than HBO. Not only are they the masters of cinematic long-form, but their instant understanding of my odd, intimate epic was as emotional as it was incisive.”
"It’s been too long since I created an entirely new fictional world, and the HBO team offer not just scope and experience, not just ‘prestige,’ but a passionate collaboration. I could go on, but — I’m impatiently grateful to say — I have work to do."
HBO programming president Casey Bloys sounded just as psyched: “We have long been fans of the incredibly talented and prolific Joss Whedon and we can’t think of a better project than The Nevers with which to welcome him to the HBO family,” Bloys enthused. “We look forward to meeting the strange, multifaceted characters of The Nevers, to learn their stories, see them in action and share them with our viewers. We’re honored that Joss chose HBO as the place to build his ambitious new world and we are excited to get started.”
What’s more, HBO has given The Nevers a direct-to-series order, something it rarely does. Even the people behind the Game of Thrones prequel (well, one of them, anyway) are making a pilot first. Per EW, HBO was in competition with Netflix to land The Nevers, which might explain this unusual step. Having someone with Whedon’s pedigree on board could also have been a factor.
Whedon has a long history of creating successful movies and TV shows, so this is worth watching, although he is still feeling blowback from a scandal involving his split from ex-wife Kai Cole. No timetable has been laid out by the network for the series release.
Next: “Battle of the Bastards” director Miguel Sapochnik wraps on season 8
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