CNN stocks up new doc slot

US newscaster CNN is continuing its push into documentary commissions with a series of orders for a new factual strand at 21.00 on weeknights.

Jane Root’s Nutopia prodco is working on Jesus Code (6×60’), which will use forensic analysis of artefacts, biblical archaeology and forgery to try and find how the most famous man in history left almost no trace behind.

Using drama reconstruction and insights from scholars, Jesus Code will re-examine six objects that promise a tangible connection to Jesus to see if they really are what they purport to be and what they can tell us about his life.

Nutopia is producing the series in association with New York-based indie Paperny Entertainment and filming will commence in October. International distribution is being handled by Modern Times Group’s London-based sales house DRG. The executive producers are Ben Goold and Lynne Kirby.

The series was one of a raft of commissions and renewals for the new 21.00 documentary slot announced at CNN’s upfront presentation to advertisers in New York.

CNN is also returning Mike Rowe – known for his Dirty Jobs series – to television screens in a new series called Somebody’s Gotta Do It. The programme, produced by Craig Piligain’s Pilgrim Studios, sees Rowe meet men and women who do unusual jobs and hobbies through passion and purpose.

The newscaster is prepping 10-part original series The Sixties from Playtone and producers Tom Hanks and Gary Hoetzman to premiere in late May.

John Walsh from America’s Most Wanted and Lisa Ling from Our America are joining CNN with their own original series.

Ling is fronting an unnamed documentary series from Part2Pictures that looks at unconventional elements of American society.

The Hunt with John Walsh tells stories of ongoing international criminal investigations where the main suspect is still at large. Zero Point Zero Productions is working on that series.

CNN has also renewed its first two documentary commissions for new seasons over the next two years. Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown will be given four more seasons to air in 2015 and 2016, and Morgan Spurlock Inside Man will get another run in 2015.