"Witchblade" TV series is currently in development at NBC Universal with "CSI" grad Carol Mendelsohn and "The Vampire Diaries" showrunner Caroline Dries. The network is looking to get back into the comic book genre.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Witchblade" TV series reboot has landed at NBC with a script commitment. It is based on Marc Silvestri's comic book of the same name. The graphic novel was published from 1995 to 2001 by Image Comics imprint Top Cow, making it one of the publisher's longest-running series, with almost 200 issues under its belt including spinoffs and related titles.
In the "Witchblade" series, a New York City homicide detective Sara Pezzini is on the hunt for an elusive serial killer, Comic Book reported. She must navigate the grisly streets and police politics of San Francisco's Mission District.
Until one day, the bracelet Pezzini has worn her entire life gives her supernatural insight into a crime she is trying to solve. It is a supernatural, sentient bracelet called the "Witchblade," which bonds with a female host and provides her with a variety of powers in order to fight supernatural evil. It has been worn by remarkable women throughout history, and Pezzini is next in line.
Sony TV-based Mendelsohn and Julie Weitz from Carol Mendelsohn Productions will underwrite the "Witchblade" TV series. Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion and "The Walking Dead" producer Dave Alpert will also serve as executive producers, along with Top Cow's founder-owner Marc Silvestri and Matt Hawkins.
Dries will pen the script for "Witchblade" TV series and also executive produce alongside "Vampire Diaries" writer and co-executive producer Brian Young, who wrote the pilot. He will also wrap the CW vampire drama later this season.
The previous "Witchblade" TV series was aired for two seasons on TNT from 2001 to 2002, starring Yancy Butler as Pezzini. Despite strong ratings, it was canceled before its Season 3, which fans have blamed on one of the actors entering a rehab program for an alcohol problem.
The title "Witchblade" was created by Silvestri, Michael Turner, Brian Haberlin, and David Wohl and has produced an anime series and a manga series, as well as a novel in 2006. At one point, it was adapted for the big screen featuring Witchblade and The Darkness but was never produced.
NBC's decision to reboot the "Witchblade" TV series happens as the network is ready to part with Friday supernatural staple "Grimm," which will wrap its run later this season. The network exited the superhero genre a few years ago when it canceled DC Comics take "Constantine" after Season 1.
Watch the video about "Witchblade" TV reboot setting up with "Vampire Diaries" and "CSI" alum: