NBC’s ‘Believe’, which was co-created by Alfonso Cuaron (‘Gravity‘,’Children of Men’) and J.J. Abrams (‘Star Trek: Into Darkness‘,’Fringe‘), seems to be having some issues with production. It’s current executive producer and showrunner, Dave Erickson (‘Sons of Anarchy’,’Low Winter Sun’) is on his way out. In his place will be co-executive producer and director Jonas Pate (‘Caprica’,’Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome‘).
This will be the second time the series has undergone a showrunner change. Back in July, c0-creator and original showrunner Mark Friedman, left on his own accord and under “agreeable” terms to be replaced by Erickson.
While showrunners do tend to change during a show’s run (‘Walking Dead’ anyone?), it doesn’t seem to bode well for two showrunner changes before the series even hits the air. The scenario is reminiscent to Abrams’ Fox series ‘Alcatraz’ when it’s co-creator/executive producer/showrunner Elizabeth Sarnoff left and was replaced before that series aired. Unfortunately, ‘Alcatraz’ only lasted one season (barely).
It’s an interesting choice as usually when showrunners change, it’s a writer, not a director, that takes the helm. Pate directed the second episode of the series that followed the pilot. To help support the change between showrunners and allow Pate to adjust to his new position, ‘Believe’ will be going on its production holiday hiatus a week earlier than scheduled and will resume production on its original planned schedule of January 6th. Currently only 5 of the initial 13 episode order have been completed.
‘Believe’ has no official air date yet but it is rumored to begin airing after the Winter Olympics in hopes that the advertising during the sporting event will bring in viewers.
Are you interested in ‘Believe’ and want to know more? Worried at all about the show with showrunner changes? Let us know your thoughts below!
Synopsis:
Levitation, telekinesis, the ability to control nature, even predict the future… since she was two years old, Bo has had gifts she could neither fully understand nor control. Raised by a small group known as the “True Believers,” the orphaned girl has been safeguarded from harmful outsiders who would use her forces for personal gain. But now that she is 10, her powers have become stronger, and the threat has grown more dangerous.
With her life and future now in jeopardy, the “Believers” turn to the only person they see fit to be her full-time protector. That is, once they break him out of jail. Tate, a wrongfully imprisoned death row inmate who’s lost his will, is initially reluctant – until he witnesses one of her extraordinary abilities. Bo sees people for who they truly are… and who they may become.
Tate and Bo begin their journey, one in which trust must be earned. Traveling from city to city, every place they stop and everyone they meet will be changed forever. But they’ll have to keep going to stay one step ahead of the sinister forces after Bo’s power… because it will take a miracle to keep them safe forever.
Source: Deadline
