2009 ABC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT GUIDE - DRAMA SERIES

CAPTAIN COOK'S EXTRAORDINARY ATLAS

For years it has been rumored that one of the greatest adventurers in history, Captain James Cook documented only a portion of his amazing voyages in the diary he presented to King George VI, secreting his most wondrous discoveries away in a second extraordinary atlas. This legendary atlas is said to have documented a fantastical world of adventure and magic that exists right beside our own. This elusive book has allegedly been passed down from one navigator to the next for centuries... finally finding its way into the hands of our heroine Gwen Malloy. But unlike the famed adventurers that have preceded her, our heroine is only 13-years-old. This daring, unprecedented fantasy drama combines the action and humor of the Harry Potter movies with the mystical frights of Pan's Labyrinth. With its humor, suspense and sophistication, this fantasy adventure has a strong adult appeal, while also being an accessible family-friendly show. Quirky Gwen isn't like most 13-year-old girls: she yearns for something more in life. And after she finds Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas,she is certainly going to get what she wished for. The Atlas will lead Gwen on many adventures, to a variety of strange lands � some wonderful, some terrifying. Thankfully, she doesn't always have to go alone. Her only real comrade in arms turns out to be an Indiana Jonesish rogue named Bishop, who has grudgingly vowed to help Gwen stay out of trouble � both in this world and the other one. But keeping her adventures a secret from her family may prove harder than anticipated as deep mysteries surrounding her roots and her future open up before her. Legions of fans both old and young will tune in each week to join Gwen on another journey of discovery into unknown realms... as one more glowing page turns in Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas.

CAST - Jodelle Ferland as Gwen Malloy; Jonathan Cake as Bishop; Nathan Gamble as Poe Malloy

CREDITS - Production Company: Warner Bros. Television; Executive Producer/Writer: Tom Wheeler

EASTWICK

Single-handedly, housewives accomplish astonishing things... and together, watch out. In the seaside village of Eastwick, this might just be evidence of their inner-witch rising to the surface. Until today, Roxanne, Kat and Joanna didn't get along because of their preconceived notions of each other. Roxanne was the flaky artist, Kat was a doormat wife and mom, and Joanna the uptight local reporter. But after a weird encounter in the park coupled with a few margaritas, these three have suddenly become fast friends. Now, a mysterious stranger's arrival in town will bring them even closer and test them in ways they'd never imagined. Daryl Van Horne is an irresistible package of wealth, charisma and bad boy sex appeal. If he's not buying up a local business, he's attempting to seduce one (or all) of these ladies, physically and professionally. What's even more dangerous, he's unleashing their supernatural powers. But by igniting their heart's desires, he might just be opening Pandora's box. This small New England town will be turned upside down by these witches coming into their own. Though bad for a few locals, it's still the best thing to happen in Eastwick in centuries. The X-Files director/producer David Nutter and writer Maggie Friedman (Once and Again) conjure up a devilish blend of Desperate Housewives and Charmed that explores the hidden depths of women. Based on John Updike's celebrated best-seller and the hit movie, Eastwick is brimming with romance, mystery and wicked charm, offering a tempting vision of the ultimate wish-fulfillment fantasy.

CAST - Rebecca Romijn as Roxanne Torcoletti; Lindsay Price as Joanna Frankel; Jamie Ray Newman as Kat Gardener; Paul Gross as Darryl Van Horne*; Sarah Rue as Penny; Ashley Benson as Mia Torcoletti*; Jon Bernthal as Raymond; Johann Urb as Will; Veronica Cartwright as Bun

CREDITS - Executive Producer/Writer: Maggie Friedman; Production Company: Warner Brothers Television; Director: David Nutter

EMPIRE STATE

The rich and powerful Maddox family practically owns New York City. But the Cochrane family has built it with their blood, sweat and tears. As they've literally changed the shape of the Manhattan skyline, these two families have become intricately � and intimately � intertwined. The three Cochrane brothers, responsible eldest brother Jimmy, screw-up Davis and motivated Sam, have steel in their blood. Their father James runs the local steel worker's union and pulled all three of his boys into the family trade. James couldn't be prouder that Sam also put himself through college and is headed to Columbia Law School. But when James includes him in union negotiations with the powerful Maddox family, the wall between the blue-collar Cochranes and the elite Maddox' starts to crumble. The family patriarchs share a grudging respect for one another � and a serious grudge. Despite the families' long-standing feud, Sam is quite taken with Victor Maddox's beautiful and sharp daughter Annabelle. Corporate greed and the union negotiations are already causing animosity. What makes things worse, an 'accident' at one of the Maddox' building sites kills Jimmy Cochrane, leaving his young, pregnant wife a widow. Now, old wounds are reopened, passions are reignited, secrets are exposed and all bets are off. Caught in the middle, star-crossed lovers Sam and Annabelle struggle to find their place... both in their own lives and within their opposing families. But together, they might transform the city they love forever. From executive producer Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy) and acclaimed writer Michael Seitzman (North Country) comes a modern Romeo and Juliet family drama about love, power and betrayal.

CAST - Michael Vogel as Sam Cochrane; Beau Garrett as Annabelle Maddox; David Morse as James Cochrane; Michael Nouri as Victor Maddox; Mel Raido as Wesley Maddox; David Call as Davis Cochrane; Tammy Blanchard as Beth Cochrane; Gail O'Grady as Laurel Cochrane; Kathleen Quinlan as Colleen Cochrane*; Ana de la Reguera as Ellen Cochrane

CREDITS - Production Company: ABC Studios; Executive Producer/Writer: Michael Seitzman; Executive Producers: Mark Gordon, Deb Spera, Henry Brommell*; Director: Jeremy Podeswa

FLASH FORWARD

What if you were shown a glimpse of your future, but didn't like what you saw? How hard would you fight and what would you sacrifice to keep it from coming true? When an unexplained, cataclysmic event knocks out the entire population of the world at the exact same moment, for two minutes and 17 seconds, everyone will see a glimpse of their own future. Then they will wake up to chaos. From his flash forward, LA FBI Agent Mark Benford is able to piece together the 'when' � April 29, 2010, but he's desperate to figure out the 'why' and stop what's coming � because it's a future he doesn't want to see. In the future, Mark's beloved wife has left him for the father of one of her patients. He's started drinking again, his loyal partner's been murdered and masked operatives are hunting him down. Before long, everyone starts asking themselves and each other, "What did you see?" As Mark and his team struggle to figure out what caused this bizarre event and wonder will it happen again, the only thing they have to go on is a huge mosaic of people's flash forwards. Adapting award-winning science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer's revolutionary novel, executive producers David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight) and Brannon Braga (24, Star Trek: Enterprise) invite us to flash forward into a thrilling vision of a world held captive by events that have not yet taken place. No one knows for certain what the future holds, but everyone will have their theories.

CAST - Joseph Fiennes as Mark Benford; Sonya Walger as Olivia Benford; John Cho as Dominic Witten; Jack Davenport as Lloyd Simcoe; Brian O'Byrne as Aaron Stark*; Courtney B. Vance as Stan Wedeck; Christine Woods as Janis Hawk; Zachary Knighton as Bryce Varley*; Peyton List as Nicole*

CREDITS - Production Company: ABC Studios; Executive Producers/Writers: David Goyer, Brannon Bragga; Executive Producers: Jessika Goyer, Vince Gerardis; Director: David Goyer

THE FORGOTTEN (formerly THE UNKNOWN)

Gone but not forgotten. That's what they say. But what if a killer took your life � and your name? Every city has its share of unidentified murder victims. When standard police procedure fails to give them a name, that's when the Identity Network steps in. A group of dedicated, amateur detectives, the members of the Identity Network attempt to reconstruct the pieces of these John and Jane Doe's lives from what little evidence is left behind. Each episode is narrated by a "body" who watches the team as they pursue the tantalizingly difficult challenge of figuring out who this victim once was. Why would anyone volunteer for such a grim task? As new recruit Tyler Davies quickly discovers, each of the members of the team has his or her own reasons for volunteering for the Network. Alex Donovan is a former cop, whose 11-year-old daughter was kidnapped and has never been found. Linda Manning, the woman who runs the network from her home, is a virtual recluse whose husband is a convicted murderer. Walter Bailey does stake outs � when he's not blowing his cover. Candace Butler hates her day job. She also happens to have a special gift for putting people at ease � even the prickly Tyler, a talented sculptor with a background in forensics. Follow these committed amateur investigators as they race against time to piece together the stories of these dead people's lives � and ultimately, hopefully, their murders. The Forgotten is an evocative and powerful new procedural combining the victims' flashbacks with the team's emotional drive to bring them justice. Together with writer Mark Friedman, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Danny Cannon (CSI) deliver the most mesmerizing crime drama of the season.

CAST - Rupert Penry-Jones as Alex Donovan; Rochelle Aytes as Detective Grace Olivo: Anthony Carrigan as Tyler Davies; Reiko Aylesworth as Linda Manning; Michelle Borth as Candace Butler; Bob Stephenson as Walter Bailey

CREDITS - Production Companies: Warner Bros. Television, Jerry Bruckheimer Television; Executive Producer/Writer: Mark Friedman; Executive Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman; Executive Producer/Director: Danny Cannon

HAPPY TOWN

For the past seven years Haplin, Minnesota's lived up to its nickname, Happy Town. Even the air is sweet with the smell of bread from the industrial bakery. Unfortunately, everything is about to change. Seven years ago, an unknown psycho, nick-named "The Magic Man" kidnapped seven children before Sheriff Griffin Conroy chased him away. But the discovery of a local's gruesome murder and the disappearance of a new child have everyone whispering the Magic Man is back. Now, Mayor Haplin has ordered Deputy Tommy Conroy to replace his father as Sheriff � whether he wants the job, or not. Tommy knows better than to cross the town royalty, whose bakery employs half the town, including his wife. As Tommy begins investigating, his friends and neighbors become suspects and the quiet small town life he's always cherished begins to sour. But Tommy's not the only one investigating Haplin. A mysterious young woman has just arrived in town, and she's quietly searching for answers about her family's history with the residents of Happy Town. From the executive producers of October Road and Life on Mars,comes the enthralling new drama, Happy Town. In the sleepy little hamlet of Haplin, Minnesota, not all secrets have been put to rest. (Two Hour Pilot)

CAST - Geoff Stults as Tommy Conroy; Lauren German as Henley; Amy Acker as Rachel Conroy; Sam Neill as Merritt Grieves; Dean Winters as John Haplin; John Patrick Amedori as Andrew Haplin; Sarah Gadon as Georgia Bravin*; Jay Paulson as Eli 'Root Beer' Rogers; Robert Wisdom as Roger Hobbs

CREDITS - Production Company: ABC Studios; Executive Producers/Writers: Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg; Director: Gary Fleder

INSIDE THE BOX

Welcome to the fast-paced, cutthroat world of network news. CNS is a hotbed of professional backstabbing and personal betrayals. The only way to survive here is through strength, talent and friendship. When the DC Bureau Chief retires, everyone assumes that Catherine Powell is a shoe-in for his job. She's dedicated and savvy and she practically runs the newsroom already. So no one is more shocked than Catherine when the board passes her over in favor of the charismatic, but shallow Englishman, Kenneth Donnegan. Kenneth welcomes Catherine to stay onboard as part of his team � but he makes it clear that it's his team. There's no way Catherine's going to take this lying down. She quickly pulls together an investigative team of her own, including her loyal, right-hand man Jake Fisher and talented, but brutally ambitious reporter, Samantha Hathaway. As they pursue a hot lead that takes them deep into the halls of Congress, their newly-appointed White House correspondent Kyle Chisolm is working his own angle. He wants to keep his dream job and keep dating White House Press Secretary Lauren Thomas on the down low. Although, it's going to be a lot harder to keep it secret now that she's pregnant. Broadcast News combines with The West Wing for a deliciously addictive new relationship drama. Watching these brilliant, but scheming minds compete as they face tough personal choices and serious ethical dilemmas is a major adrenaline rush. As Catherine quickly discovers, in the competitive world of investigative reporting, your friends are only one betrayal away from becoming enemies. Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice invites you Inside The Box.

CAST - Indira Varma as Catherine Powell; Martin Henderson as Jake Fisher; Jason George as Kyle Chisholm; Jennifer Finnigan as Lauren Thomas; Kim Raver as Samantha Hathaway; Lloyd Owen as Kenneth Donnegan; Sarah Drew as Molly

CREDITS - Production Companies: ABC Studios, ShondaLand; Executive Producer/Writer: Richard Robbins; Executive Producers: Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers; Director: Mark Tinker

LIMELIGHT

Almost everyone wants to be famous, but few possess the talent, drive and luck to make their dream come true. At the Public Academy for Performing Arts (PAPA), the most prestigious performing arts college in the country, getting past the brutal audition process is just the beginning. The few who make it in face four years of hard work, sacrifice and pain. Some of these young hopefuls are bound to get broken along the way, but a few are destined for stardom. When they were eight-years-old, shy but surprisingly talented Zoe and her golden boy best friend (and secret crush) Eddie made a pact to audition for PAPA together. Now that they're here, they're up against fierce competition, like Georgia, a Britney Spears wannabe with talent and drive to burn, who definitely catches Eddie's eye. There's also amazing hip hop dancer Kevin, who has nowhere else to go, and Romeo, a musician and street kid who wants to get in for his talent, not for his story. And then there's Jazz, a dancer who's secretly hoping to reconnect with her birth mother. These young hopefuls auditioning for the school aren't the only ones with troubles. Newly-appointed artistic director David Laddeman has always played second fiddle to his best friend, megalomaniac Vincent Marlowe (think Simon Cowell times 10). When Vincent leaves to star in a movie, it looks like David can finally run things his way � and try to woo Vincent's ex-wife, famous choreographer Nina Khari. But when Vincent blows his big comeback, he returns to the school with a vengeance. Fame heads to college in this sexy new ensemble drama from mega-talents producer McG, music producer Pharrell and choreographer Fatima Robinson. This school is definitely going to rock as it puts the dreamers right where they belong... in the Limelight.

CAST - Sharon Leal as Nina Khari; Brooklyn Sudano as Jazz Barkley; Kyle Riabko as Eddie; Shannon Marie Woodward as Zoe; Robbie Jones as Xavier Davis; Telly Leung as Kevin Cotton*; Noah Gray-Cabey as Romeo; Oded Fehr as Vincent Marlowe; Jessy Schram as Georgia Beech; Matt Davis as David Laddeman

CREDITS - Production Company: Warner Bros. Television; Executive Producer/Writer: K.J. Steinberg; Executive Producer: McG, Leonard Goldberg; Consulting Producer: Pharrell Williams; Director: David Semel

SEE KATE RUN

How did good time girl Kate Sullivan become a serious contender for President of the United States? To find out, flashback 20 years and watch her as a young, not-so-promising prosecutor. Kate's roommate, coworker and competitive best friend Ellie is a rising star in the District Attorney's office. Kate, on the other hand, thinks of her public service job as a step-ladder to happily ever after - preferably with her main squeeze, hot shot ADA Dan. It's not that Kate lacks talent; it's just that she's determined not to make the same mistakes as her overly-career-driven mother. When her boss throws her a high-profile drug case, though, expecting her to lose and take one for the team, Kate begins to rethink her career goals. A not-so-chance encounter with legendary campaign manager Jack Brookshire inspires her even more. It turns out he knows all about Kate and wants her to run for Congress. Finding someone who thinks she's got the right stuff lights a fire in her, and with a few out-of-the-box tactics, Kate wins not only her case, but also the hearts of the people of Boston. Jump forward to election day, 20 years in the future, Kate is poised to become the first woman president of the United States, but... just who is the father of her fifteen-year-old daughter Sarah? Ally McBeal takes on The West Wing in this witty romantic dramedy from the creator of The Days,one of the executive producers of Dirty Sexy Money and the director of Galaxy Quest. As Kate tries to find a balance between her desire for both a fulfilling career and a happy home life, watch how she transforms from a frivolous party girl into a front-runner. You'll definitely want to... See Kate Run.

CAST - Amy Smart as Kate Sullivan; Liza Lapira as Ellie Wong; Ben Feldman as Chief ADA Dan Carver; Ricky Worthy as DA Bruce Jenkins; Marc Blucas as Jack Brookshire

CREDITS - Production Company: ABC Studios; Executive Producer/Writer: John Scott Shepherd; Executive Producer: Matt Gross; Director: Dean Parisot

SOLVING CHARLIE (formerly BROTHERS & DETECTIVES)

The trick to solving puzzles is seeing the little clues that other people miss. Officer Charlie Hudson does not have this talent. He's perfectly happy in his low-level position in property crimes, but when he gets stuck with the genius little brother he never knew he had, Hudson is about to see the world in a whole new way. Hudson's father abandoned him when he was five-years-old, so he's shocked to discover that his recently deceased Dad left him the bulk of his estate � including guardianship of his 10-year-old half brother � who also happens to be named Charlie. Hudson is a master of avoiding responsibility, so he's not about to take on a kid his dad apparently viewed as his replacement. He starts looking for a decent foster family for Charlie, but the boy is quickly enthralled with his older brother � especially his super-cool job as a detective. Genius Charlie recently graduated high school, so he's free to tag along with Hudson on his first � and probably last � homicide investigation, which everyone else believes is a suicide. That is, until Charlie notices the partially eaten piece of cake beside the victim's body. As Hudson and Charlie slowly work the case together, Hudson can't help beginning to grow fond of the boy. He doesn't completely feel up to the task of raising a child, but then again, he didn't think he had what it took to be a detective, either. After Hudson successfully solves his first case and saves Charlie from the clutches of a deadly killer, one thing becomes clear: Hudson and Charlie are a team. From Daniel Cerone, co-executive producer of Dexter comes a charming and original new crime drama that deftly mixes Psych's weekly procedural with the warmth and humor of About a Boy. Who needs Charlie's Angels, when the two Charlies are on the case?

CAST - Jimmy Wolk as Charlie Hudson; Dakota Goyo as Charlie Hudson II; Brad William Henke as Tom Taylor; Dania Ramirez as Veronica King; Patrick St. Esprit as Lt. Jamison

CREDITS - Production Company: ABC Studios; Executive Producer/Writer: Daniel Cerone; Executive Producer: Francie Calfo*; Director: Greg Hoblit*

UNTITLED DAVID HEMINGSON 2.0 PROJECT

Sterling Law is one of L.A.'s most prestigious law firms. Each year it recruits four new young lawyers from the finest law schools worldwide. It will nurture, guide and shape these recruits into the best damned lawyers they can possibly be � or else. This year the lucky four are Dylan, a blue collar kid made-good; Addy, a sweet mid-Westerner with a lethal legal mind; Beth, a brilliant Brentwood babe; and Liam, an Australian with serious drive. Sterling Law is under the control of ruthless senior partner Cliff Huddle (Billy Zane), aka "The Prince of Darkness." But when legendary partner Hart Sterling returns to the firm after a long hiatus caring for his dying wife, he's ready to shake things up. The only way for these first years to survive being caught in the middle of this major power struggle is to support each other, even as they compete against one another in the cutthroat arena of corporate law. They discover unlikely allies in their mercurial recruiter Rowdy and litigating whirlwind Susan, who is Cliff's icy, but talented wife. Dylan also manages to make a deeper connection with an ace paralegal named Addy, but every alliance at Sterling is complicated. Addy is drawn to Dylan, but it seems she hasn't quite broken off her affair with Cliff. The complex personal and professional lives of Grey's Anatomy's interns combine with the high-stakes world of L.A. Law in this sharp dramedy from David Hemingson, co-executive producer of How I Met Your Mother. Greed, betrayal, illegal acts; it's all a part of being a first year associate at Sterling Law. Law school definitely didn't prepare them for this.

CAST - Matt Long as Dylan Hewitt; Ben Lawson as Liam Priory; Tina Majorino as Addy Fisher; Norbert Leo Butz as Rowdy Kaiser; Leah Pipes as Beth Bancroft; Billy Zane as Cliff Huddle; Sherri Saum as Susan Openheim*; Clancy Brown as Hart Sterling

CREDITS - Production Company: 20th Century Fox Television; Executive Producer/Writer: David Hemingson; Director: Michael Fresco

V

Today, the world woke up to find spaceships over every major city. The Visitors claim to have come in peace, bringing gifts of medical miracles and technological breakthroughs. They promise to do no harm. They're lying. Most people believe the aliens have arrived just when we needed them most. We're eager to embrace their generous offers of help, but while tracking a terrorist cell, Homeland Security agent Erica Evans stumbles upon something far more sinister. When her partner tries to kill her, Erica discovers that the aliens have plans to infiltrate our governments and businesses, planting seeds for their plot to control mankind. Convincing anyone of the truth will be impossible because the Visitors have two powerful weapons. First, they've given the people faith with their reassuring presence and gifts. Second, they've rallied our youth. Thousands of teens, including Erica's son, have been recruited as 'Peace Ambassadors' but they're actually serving as unwitting spies. Erica's violent introduction to the truth thrusts her into the resistance movement, where she joins forces with Ryan, a rogue alien driven to save humanity. She'll have to balance her covert activities with her job, and her role as a mother, fighting to protect her son Tyler � even as he joins forces with the enemy. From executive producer Scott Peters, Emmy-nominated creator of The 4400, comes a bold re-imagining of the sci-fi classic. Let the invasion begin.

CAST - Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans; Joel Gretsch as Father Jack Lowery; Scott Wolf as Chad Decker; Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans; Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols; Morena Baccarin as Anna

CREDITS - Production Company: Warner Bros. Television; Executive Producer/Writer as Scott Peters; Executive Producer: Jace Hall; Director: Yves Simoneau

[EDITOR'S NOTE: * denotes a previously unknown addition.]