Not too many shows over at A&E have come under our sci-fi/fantasy/horror/comics tent o’ coverage, with a few notable exceptions like the miniseries Stephen King’s Bag of Bones. Now, however, things are looking interesting over there, with the announcement that they’re developing a new series based on the French series Le Revenants, to be entitled The Returned.

Returned like The 4400? No. Returned like “from the dead.” But it isn’t a zombie show per se… Check out the press release for details. Word from many outlets including Deadline is that Carlton Cuse (Lost, The Strain) is in talks to executive produce, as he has been doing so successfully for A&E with Bates Motel. Here’s hoping that he’s on board, and that he can handle three shows successfully, since we also have high hopes for the Guillermo del Toro-penned The Strain as well.

A&E NETWORK DEVELOPING NEW SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES ‘THE RETURNED’

FROM A+E STUDIOS AND FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA

New York, NY—September 27, 2013—A&E Network is in development on the new original scripted drama series “The Returned,” a co-production of A+E Studios and FremantleMedia North America. The announcement was made today by David McKillop, General Manager and Executive Vice President of A&E Network.

“The Returned” is based on the popular French suspense series adapted by Fabrice Gobert and inspired by the feature film, Les Revenants, directed by Robin Campillo. “The Returned” focuses on a small town that is turned upside down when several local people, who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear, having not aged and unaware of their own fatality. As they attempt to resume their lives, strange phenomena and gruesome murders begin to occur.

“’The Returned’ takes an incredibly unique approach, filled with suspense and twists and turns, to the subject of the living dead,” said McKillop. “Part mystery, part thriller; ‘The Returned’ is a perfect complement to A&E’s unique brand of scripted storytelling.”

Commented Thom Beers, CEO of FremantleMedia North America, “’The Returned’ is a fascinating series with a truly unique premise. Having seen Fabrice Gobert’s original version and the success the series has had in France, we’re thrilled to be partnering with the team at A+E to bring this enigmatic thriller to U.S. audiences.”

“The Returned” is co-produced by A+E Studios (“Houdini”) and FremantleMedia North America (“American Idol,” “The X Factor”) in association with Haut et Court TV SAS, the producer of the French series, for A&E Network. FremantleMedia will distribute the series internationally, excluding the U.S. and Canada, which will be distributed by A+E Studios. The executives overseeing the project for FremantleMedia North America are Thom Beers and Craig Cegielski and Bob DeBitetto for A+E Studios.

About A&E Network
A&E is “Real Life. Drama.” Now reaching more than 99 million homes, A&E is television that you can’t turn away from; where unscripted shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic. A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment ranging from the network’s original scripted series, including “Bates Motel” and “Longmire,” to signature non-fiction franchises, including “Duck Dynasty,” “Beyond Scared Straight” and “Storage Wars,” and the most successful justice shows on cable, including “The First 48.” The A&E website is located at www.aetv.com. For more press information and photography please visit us on the web at press.aenetworks.com.

About A+E Studios

A+E Studios is the in-house production arm of the award-winning global media company A+E Networks, LLC. A+E Studios commissions, creates and co-produces content across all networks and platforms under the A+E Networks portfolio, including A&E® Network, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, LMN®, BIO™, H2™ and A&E IndieFilms®.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. arm of global media giant FremantleMedia, which includes a distribution arm, FremantleMedia International, a digital and branded entertainment division and a kids & family entertainment business. As the world’s largest independent studio, FremantleMedia’s comprehensive global network has operations in 25 countries, creating over 9100 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 400 individual titles. FMNA and its portfolio of companies produce entertaining and innovative scripted and alternative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms. Their slate includes a diverse range of both critically-acclaimed and award-winning successes including “American Idol,” “The X Factor,” “America’s Got Talent,” “Family Feud,” “Let’s Make A Deal,” “The Price Is Right,” “The Tomorrow People,” “Deadliest Catch,” “Married to Medicine,” “Ice Road Truckers,” “Storage Wars” and “The Pet Collective,” among others.

We’ll keep you posted!