TNT Greenlights Frank Darabont Crime Drama Based on Acclaimed John Buntin Book "L.A. Noir"

TNT has greenlit a new series from executive producers Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead, The Shawshank Redemption), Michael De Luca (The Social Network, Moneyball) and Elliot Webb (Tall Time Tales). TNT has ordered a total of six episodes for the untitled project, which is being produced by TNT Originals.

Based on the critically acclaimed book L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City by John Buntin, the story chronicles the epic battle between Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker and mobster Mickey Cohen. Alissa Phillips (Moneyball) of Michael De Luca Productions serves as co-executive producer. Darabont wrote and directed the pilot. The show, which will air on TNT and Turner networks around the world, will be distributed by TBS International outside of the United States and Canada.

This new series tells the true story of a decades-long conflict between the Los Angeles Police Department, under the determined leadership of Police Chief William Parker, and ruthless criminal elements led by Mickey Cohen, a one-time boxer who rose to the top of L.A.'s criminal world. The series is a fast-paced crime drama set in Los Angeles during the 1940s and '50s. It's a world of glamorous movie stars, powerful studio heads, returning war heroes, a powerful and corrupt police force and an even more dangerous criminal network determined to make L.A. its West Coast base.

The new drama stars Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead) as Joe Teague, an ex-Marine now working as an LAPD cop in an era rampant with police corruption. Jeffrey DeMunn (The Walking Dead, The Shawshank Redemption) plays Det. Hal Morrison, who heads up the LAPD's new mob squad, with Jeremy Strong (The Happening, Lincoln) as Det. Mike Hendry, Morrison's second in command. Neal McDonough (Captain America, Desperate Housewives) is Capt. William Parker, Teague's boss who is determined to weed out corruption and bring down Mickey Cohen. And Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes) plays Ned Stax, who fought alongside Teague during World War II but who now works as a lawyer with connections to the mob.

The series also stars Ron Rifkin (Alias, L.A. Confidential) as Los Angeles Mayor Fletcher Bowron, who makes it his mission to clean up corruption in city government; Pihla Viitala (Tears of April) as Anya, the head bartender at Bunny's on Central Avenue, the West Coast center of the African-American jazz scene; and Alexa Davalos (Clash of the Titans, The Mist) as Jasmine, a beautiful woman whose past has come back to haunt her.

In the pilot, Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Shaun of the Dead) guest-stars as Hecky Nash, a third-rate comedian and mob hanger-on.

"This series is an intense, exciting drama that takes viewers back to a truly fascinating time in the history of Los Angeles," said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "Frank Darabont, Michael De Luca and Elliott Webb have delivered an outstanding opening episode that evokes the time and place in stunning detail. Together with a pitch-perfect ensemble cast and top-notch production crew, they have woven an engrossing tale of heroism in the face of greed and corruption. We're very excited to be working with such talented storytellers in bringing this project to life."

This announcement marks the latest move in TNT's ambitious strategy to expand to a year-round model of original programming. After dominating the original programming charts this past summer with five returning hits and the three most-watched new series, TNT is ready to build on that success this winter with a slate of six original series. The lineup includes the return of the hit dramas Rizzoli & Isles, Leverage and Dallas; a new season of the critically acclaimed Southland; the premiere of Monday Mornings, a powerful new medical drama from David E. Kelley and Dr. Sanjay Gupta; and the launch of the gripping unscripted series Boston's Finest, from executive producer Donnie Wahlberg.

The show, which will air on TNT and Turner networks around the world, will be distributed by TBS International outside of the United States and Canada.

About TNT

TNT is television's destination for drama. Seen in 99 million households and ranking among cable's top networks, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Falling Skies, Dallas, Perception, Major Crimes, Franklin & Bash, Leverage, Southland and the upcoming Monday Mornings. The network also features dramatic unscripted originals like the upcoming Boston's Finest, 72 Hours and The Hero. In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like Castle, The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Smallville and Law & Order; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards(R); blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

TNT is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.