Nat Geo brews Prohibition drama

National Geographic Channel (NGC) has ordered a drama pilot based on the true story of a black US detective and his squad during Prohibition.

David Oyelowo

The Black 22s is being written by Paul Guyot, who showruns and exec produces with actor David Oyelowo (Selma), John Rogers (The Librarians) and Jennifer Court, from US prodco Kung Fu Monkey Productions.

The story follows the operations of one of the first all-black police squads in the US, operating against gangsters in St Louis.

NGC brought in former Shine America drama executive Carolyn Bernstein late last year as part of the factual outfit’s strategy to ramp up its scripted output.