The producers of “Powers,” a TV pilot for Sony TV and FX Productions reportedly coming here in mid-June, are no strangers to shooting television entertainment in Chicago.
A-list television executive producer and director Michael Dinner returns to Chicago, after having been here on 12 episodes of “The Beast,” the FX Channel series that shot in Chicago in 2009 with the late Patrick Swayze.
Dinner is also remembered as executive producer on “Early Edition,” TV series that filmed in Chicago 1996-1997. It starred Kyle Chandler (“Friday Night Lights,” who is rumored to be first choice to star in “Powers.” After “Early Edition,” Chandler returned to Chicago to play Joan Cusack’s boyfriend in the comedy series, “What About Joan” that shot here in 2001-2002.
Two years in development and based on comic books by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, “Powers” follows a pair of homicide detectives who investigate deadly crimes committed by people with super powers.
Detective Christian Walker — the Chandler role — is a former super hero who turned to police work after losing his abilities, although he still maintains active contact with his former colleagues.
Working alongside him is Deena Pilgrim, a tough cop who’s skeptical of all things super-powered.
“The Walking Dead’s” Charles Eglee, who wrote the pilot, will serve as executive producer alongside the comic book co-creators and “The Walking Dead” production company Circle of Confusion.
“MILK’S” GUS VAN SANT makes his TV debut as director and executive producer of “Boss, the Starz eight-episode political drama series that starts shooting here April 27.
Kelsey Grammer stars as Kane, the mayor of Chicago, who is diagnosed with degenerative mental condition that only he and his doctor know about.
Jeff Hephner (“Hellcats”) co-stars as a handsome and ambitious state treasurer. Connie Nielsen was just added to the cast. Incidentally, Hephner had auditioned and won the lead in NBC’s pilot, “Playboy,” but was replaced at the last minute by Eddie Cibrian.
Lionsgate Television is producing, Farhad Safinia is the writer. The series is headquartered at Cinespace.
MTV’S “UNDER EMPLOYED” PILOT from “Dirty, Sexy Money” creator Craig starts shooting on locations here in early May for five days.
The comedy is about five 20something college grads and best friends, who go through a series of odd jobs and low-paying gigs as they attempt to start their careers.
The leads are Jared Kusnitz, Michelle Ang, Sarah Hebel, Inbar Lavi and Diego Boneta. Viacom is the production company; Director is Troy Miller (“Parks and Recreation”); producer is L.A.-based former Chicagoan Wileen Dragovon (“Witless Protection,” “The Ice Harvest”) and Rich Lederer is UPM.
