National Geographic ((DStv 181 / StarSat 220 / Cell C black 261) has commissioned a scripted drama series, The Hot Zone, revolving around the Ebola crisis, as well as a Syria war drama entitled Ten Borders, with several other possible scripted series ordered to development.
Ordered to development is a scripted drama TV version of the film and book Hidden Figures, as well as a secret service drama entitled The White House Detail.
The Hot Zone is based on the best-seller by Richard Preston and is the true story of how the Ebola virus started in a central African rain forest and found its way to the United States. A precise episode order has not yet been decided on.
The White House Detail will try to give a look at the personal and professional lives of United States Secret Service agents protecting America's White House family, starting with the 1960 election of John F. Kennedy.
It's based on the first-hand account of the service's most iconic agent, Hill, who served under five presidents and is best known for leaping onto the back of JFK's limo during the assassination in Dallas and is based on the book Five Presidents.
Ten Borders from Paramount Television is a 6-episode series that revolves around 5 unrelated people who are pulled into one another's lives through the mass exodus of people from war-torn Syria to safe refuge in Sweden.
"The incredible audience response to our scripted programming, including award nominations for Genius and the overwhelming critical praise-and Critics Choice Award nomination for The Long Road Home, have emboldened our scripted strategy," says Courteney Monroe, CEO of National Geographic Global Networks in a statement.
"We've proven we can make noise in a crowded marketplace by utilizing the premium power of the National Geographic brand and working with the right talent."
