History preps Bill Clinton drama

Bill Clinton was US president from 1993 to 2001

US cablenet History has ordered a six-part drama about the attempted impeachment of former US president Bill Clinton.

The Breach: Inside the Impeachment of Bill Clinton, is a coproduction by FremantleMedia and A+E Studios and will be exec produced and directed by RJ Cutler (The War Room, The September Issue).

A+E Studios’ Barry Jossen will also exec produce, while FremantleMedia International will distribute the series globally.

Based on a Peter Baker bestseller, The Breach depicts how one of the US’s most notorious political scandals unfolded – from the revelation that Clinton was having an affair with Monica Lewinsky to the political battles involving his wife Hillary and Newt Gingrich, as well as many others.

“Featuring an array of well-known modern political figures, The Breach will bring audiences behind the scenes of an event that changed Washington forever – the first impeachment of an elected president in American history,” said Eli Lehrer, executive VP of programming for History.

“This drama builds upon our core scripted programming slate of compelling, contemporary storytelling that embraces our recent history.”

The Breach is the latest in a number of scripted announcements for History, including the forthcoming historical drama Knightfall, about the Knights Templar, and military drama Six, which has already secured international deals.

In a recent interview with C21, Nancy Dubuc, CEO of History parent A+E Networks, said investment in production arm A+E Studios was driving A+E’s international strategy and enabling the company to control more rights to its shows.

“History is going to see more scripted shows over the next 18 to 24 months than it’s seen over its history. We really believe we should be doubling down on it,” she said.

History’s drama boost has helped offset the announcement that A+E Networks’ flagship channel, A&E, is moving away from scripted programming.