Lionsgate signs first-look scripted deal with Michael London’s Groundswell

US studio Lionsgate has signed a first-look deal with Groundswell Productions, the TV and film company led by American producer Michael London.

Michael London

Groundswell Productions, run by London and president of production Shannon Gaulding, will produce scripted series under the multi-year deal.

As part of the agreement, London and Gaulding are developing a limited series chronicling the rise and fall of Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. The project is based on a Vanity Fair article, authored by Gabriel Sherman, which has been optioned by Lionsgate. Sherman is adapting the article for TV and will executive produce alongside London and Gaulding.

Groundswell Productions is currently in production on season six of FX drama Snowfall and a rom-com called Greatest Hits for Fox Searchlight. The company’s other credits include Showtime’s SMILF, HBO’s Confirmation, Syfy’s Magicians and Hulu’s Chance.

London, who was formerly executive VP of production at 20th Century Fox, has also previously worked on feature films including Sideways, Milk, Thirteen, The Informant!, The Family Stone, The Illusionist and The Visitor.

Lionsgate has inked a raft of talent deals in recent months, including an overall scripted content deal with Minx creator Ellen Rapoport, a first-look production deal with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack’s production banner Le Train Train, and an unscripted first-look deal with Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg and Donnie Wahlberg’s Work Baby Productions.