HBO excels at drama and now it’s moving in the West. The broadcasting company has secured a script from the Orange Is the New Black and Weeds creator, Jenji Kohan that focuses on Salem. The Salem drama will be called New World and will be set during one of America’s most controversial time periods. A period that includes witches, so that’s a surefire seller.
The HBO pilot will be enrichened by talents sunt as Oscar nominee Gus Van Sant( Milk, Good Will Hunting) who will be executive producing alongside Bruce Miller and Tracy Miller. Kohan’s script will be completed with the help of Bruce Miller. Production is set to begin in spring in Massachussets and it will be co-managed by Lionsgate TV who also produces Kohan’s Orange Is the New Black.New World marks HBO’s newest property buy.New World joins other HBO pilots such as the Alan Ball and Elton John period musical drama Virtuoso and Laughs Unlimited. If HBO decides to make a New World a series, then it will not only shape the outlet’s roster with The Leftovers and the soon to be aired Westworld but will mark Jenji Kohan’s second series in production.
Witches have been in the TV sphere for a while, the most recent example being WGN’s Salem drama, which has been renewed for a second season. Besides that, there’s been FX’s third season of the American Horror Story anthology which was set at a coven. From what The Hollywood Reporter made out is that New World will be more keen to explore other aspects of 17th century Salem as well as the context that made the town so popular.HBO’s New World sees Kohan’s return to premium cable after her succesful eight season run of Weeds. Without New World, Kohan still has a lot on her plate as Netflix has ordered a third season for Orange is The New Black.