ABC places Emergency Call

Actor Luke Wilson fronts Emergency Call

US broadcast network ABC has commissioned a local version of a European format that spotlights the work of the emergency services.

Emergency Call, fronted by actor Luke Wilson, will premiere on ABC on Monday September 28 at 22.00 (ET).

The show is being produced by LA-based 8Hours Television, which was founded in 2018 by veteran executive producer Adeline Ramage Rooney (MasterChef, MasterChef Junior, Kitchen Nightmares, Hotel Hell) and former Zodiak Americas CEO Jonny Slow.

The format follows the first few crucial minutes of emergencies through the lens of the 911 call takers. It was originally created by De Chinezen for Belgian Flemish public broadcaster VRT Eén.

Amsterdam-based distributor Lineup Industries handles global sales of the series, which has been adapted in Belgium (in both Flemish and French), Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. It has also been optioned in Italy, Spain, Japan, Latin America, Turkey, Israel and the UK.