ABS-CBN teams up with Fil-Am producer for Hollywood TV series

MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN will have its first foray into Hollywood television production as it teams up with a US film and television outfit to produce a crime series that will soon air in the United States.

ABS-CBN will work with US production firm Electric Entertainment, which is headed by Filipino-American producer Dean Devlin.

The crime series, which will be called “Off Tropic,” will be set in Cebu and will air in the United States through cable company WGN America.

Most of the actors will be from the Philippines, with the female lead being a Filipino actress, according to ABS-CBN.

American actor Christian Kane will serve as the male lead.

Production is scheduled to begin in November.

“This is a first of many strategic partnerships and collaborations with partners from all over the world and we are very thrilled that we are partnering with a formidable team, Electric Entertainment, to line-produce the US series for them,” Ruel S. Bayani, ABS-CBN head of international production and co-production, said in a statement.

Devlin is known for producing movies such as “Independence Day,” “Godzilla,” and “The Patriot.”

He will serve as the executive producer of “Off Tropic” and is set to write the first two episodes of the series and direct its finale, marking his first television production in the Philippines with Filipinos.

“We chose to partner with ABS-CBN because they have been so instrumental in the development of talent here both in front and behind the camera. I think they have the most experience and they have just been amazing partners,” Devlin said.

/atm