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Original threesome for TNT US cable network TNT is ramping up its original production line, greenlighting three new series, including one exec produced by George Clooney and another exec produced by Steven Spielberg. Described by TNT as "offbeat", Delta Blues (wt) is the Clooney show, with the Ocean's Eleven star sharing exec production duties with Grant Heslov and Writer Liz W Garcia, via Smokehouse Pictures and Warner Horizon Television. It stars Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl) and Alfre Woodard (Three Rivers) in a cop show set in Memphis in which the cop (Lee) still lives with his mother, played by Celia Weston (Junebug). Woodard plays the cop's boss. Spielberg is behind an as-yet untitled alien invasion drama from DreamWorks Television, with Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan) also exec producing. Noah Wyle will star as the leader of a rag-tag group of soldiers and civilians fighting off an alien force. "This series has the potential to be one of the most exciting and provocative shows on television," said Michael Wright, executive VP, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). The third commission is Rizzoli & Isles (wt), starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, and based on Tess Gerritsen's mystery novels. It comes to TNT from Warner Horizon Television and is being exec produced by Janet Tamaro (Bones, Lost) and Bill Haber's Ostar Productions. In the show, Harmon plays a Boston detective who works closely with a medical examiner (Alexander) to solve crimes. "TNT is home to some of television's most powerful female characters, and Rizzoli & Isles certainly fits that identity," said Wright. TNT has ordered 10 episodes of each of the three series, with plans to have Delta Blues and Rizzoli & Isles premiere in 2010 and the alien invasion series debut in 2011. "These three series are wide ranging in their appeal and subject matter. And with their emphasis on relatable, everyday heroes, they're a great fit with our line-up," Wright added. TNT's original series now include: recently renewed Men of a Certain Age; The Closer, returning for a sixth run; Saving Grace, wrapping up its third season this year; and Hawthorne and Dark Blue, both returning for their second seasons. Furthermore, TNT has also ordered a third season of Leverage, and is currently airing NBC hand-me-down Southland, with unaired episodes set to begin in March. 21 Jan 2010 © C21 Media 2010 
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