US cablenet AMC has added a drama about journalists and diplomats working in Afghanistan to its pilot slate.

White City is set in the present day and follows an ex-pat who is left to search for a new role for himself in the country after failing in his latest attempt to talk to local fighters.

It’s being produced by AMC Studios and is being co-written and exec produced by journalist Nick McDonell and political advisor John Dempsey, both of whom have worked in Kabul. Former Viacom CEO Tom Freston and journalist Chris Mundy are also attached as exec producers.

Joel Stillerman, AMC’s exec VP of original programming, production and digital content, said the show was “not a war story, it’s a character story that will tackle some of the most complicated issues of our time.”

Last week AMC appointed Drew Brown ^[1], formerly with Endemol and Warner Horizon Television, to senior VP of production where his remit will include overseeing all elements of production and post-production at the company’s channel and studio operations.