TV Hot Spot: News

'Samurai Girl' Picked Up!

Post by: Sal


Source: The HollyWood Reporter

ABC Family has picked up "Samurai Girl," which the cable network plans to air as a "major programming event" consisting of three two-hour episodes.

"Samurai," from ABC Studios, is set to start production in the spring in Vancouver and is slated to air over one weekend in August 2008; the strategy is similar to one the network previously took with "Fallen."

"Samurai," based on a series of popular young-adult novels, centers on a 19-year-old Japanese girl named Heaven (Jamie Chung) who discovers that the wealthy businessman who adopted her as an infant is really the head of the Yakuza (the Japanese mafia) and had her beloved brother brutally murdered. She breaks from her family and begins training to become a samurai, and with the help of a group of new American friends, sets out to take down her father's evil empire.

"Samurai" also stars Brendan Fehr, Saige Thompson, Kyle Labine, Anthony Brandon Wong, Steven Brand and Kenneth Choi.

"Samurai" was brought to ABC Family through Alloy Entertainment, the company behind the series of novels. Alloy's Leslie Morgenstein and Bob Levy will serve as executive producers. Frank Spotnitz ("The X-Files") also executive produced the pilot.

Luke McMullen wrote the hourlong pilot, which is being expanded to two hours. McMullen also is co-executive producing.

The pickup of "Samurai" comes on the heels of ABC Family's series order for "Roommates."


Take Care,

Sal