Cinemax to Strike Back with original drama

From DHD & EW – Cinemax is moving into the original drama arena, partnering with Sky TV and U.K. based Left Bank Pictures to produce a new version of Strike Back, an acclaimed UK drama that was based on a book by former special forces officer Chris Ryan. Philip Winchester (Fringe) and Rhidian Scott (Animal Kingdom) will star in the new version as a charismatic former U.S. Special Forces operative (Scott) who teams up with a British military unit led by Section 20 officer Michael Stone (Winchester) to stop an international terrorist group.

Much like how Starz took on Torchwood, Cinemax’s new 10-part series will introduce new characters, storylines, and a globe-spanning setting – and have a significantly bigger budget. The new take on the project was written by Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files) and British TV writer Richard Zadjlic (EastEnders); Dan Percival, Bill Eagles and Alex Holmes will direct. Andy Harries and Elaine Pyke are executive producing.

The U.K. version of Strike Back starred Richard Armitage as John Porter, a former British Special Forces soldier drafted back into service by MI6. Here’s a trailer for the U.K. series, for an idea of what’s to come:

Production for the new series will start in February, shooting on location in South Africa and Hungary. The new Strike Back debuts this summer on Cinemax.