No Pick-up for “Confidential”

Ever since last fall, when news spread of plans to produce a CBS-TV series based on L.A. Confidential, James Ellroy’s 1990 novel, I’ve assumed this project would make it past the pilot stage, and be picked for the fall 2018 small-screen schedule. But that optimism has taken a huge hit, with news that CBS has passed on the series.

There may be more to this story, however. Word is that L.A. Confidential may find a new home on a small-screen streaming service, either CBS All Access (where Star Trek: Discovery has gained a following) or Netflix. Deadline Hollywood reports:

L.A. Confidential was one of the best received pilots at CBS this season, described as beautifully shot with premium quality that could work on a streaming platform.

I hear L.A. Confidential producer CBS Studios, which last
season was able to get its passed-on CW pilot Insatiable picked up to series at Netflix, plans to shop it to digital platforms. I hear sibling CBS All Access has first crack because of its corporate ties.

So far, there has been a perception that, as part of CBS All Access’ effort to establish its own identity, the platform has been reluctant to take in a project that originated on CBS.

Additionally, some say that the addition of L.A. Confidential may dilute CBS All Access’ upcoming drama series Strange Angel, which also is set in the 1950s. Others argue that both series could co-exist and could actually create stronger environment for both to do well.

Regardless of the outcome, there is a lot of good will for the pilot and a strong effort to find it a new home.

(Hat tip to The Killing Times.)