FX lines up del Toro pilot

Cable channel FX in the US is preparing a drama pilot based on a vampire novel trilogy to be directed by Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth).

The Strain is a one-hour thriller about a doctor who is called upon to investigate what appears to be a mysterious viral outbreak of vampirism in New York. Production is set to begin in September.

It will star Corey Stoll (House of Cards) in the lead role, while del Toro and Chuck Hogan, who penned the three books together, will co-write and exec produce the pilot, alongside Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel).

FX Productions, the Fox-owned channel’s in-house production arm, is making the show. The division is also behind FX shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred and Legit.

Another project in development at FX Productions is Shakedown, a period crime drama inspired by the life of Hollywood private detective Fred Otash from James Ellroy. The LA Confidential writer will pen the script and exec produce alongside Joe Roth, Clark Peterson, Steven Hoban and Palak Patel.