Reelz reels in celebrity specials

Piers Morgan’s Life Stories: Burt Reynolds will air on Reelz

US cablenet Reelz has ordered a host of programming for summer and fall 2019, including specials, documentaries and returning series focusing on celebrities.

The order includes seven new original specials and three returning original series, plus two documentary specials that will make their cable and satellite premieres on Reelz: Truth & Lies: The Family Manson and The Last 100 Days of Diana.

The cablenet also has the US premieres of three specials: Piers Morgan’s Life Stories: Burt Reynolds, Stephen King: Master of Horror and The Illustrated Man.

Meanwhile, Cashed Out, Autopsy: The Last Hours of… and The Price of Fame are the three returning series. The shows are produced by Buck Productions, ITV Studios-owned Potato and AMS Pictures, respectively.

The seven original specials heading for the cablenet are Robin Williams: When the Laughter Stops; John Wayne Gacy: Killer Clown’s Revenge; 13 Hours: The Real Story of…; Argo: The Real Story of…; Joan Rivers: Behind Closed Doors Hosted by Natalie Morales; Patrick Swayze: Ghosts & Demons; and Capturing Chris Watts.

Among the production companies behind the specials are AM Studios, World Media Rights and Peacock Productions.

“Our summer and fall programming puts celebrity legends front and centre, celebrating the pioneers, innovators and creators who have given us so many memorable movies, characters and stories,” said Steve Cheskin, senior VP of programming at Reelz.

“We also look forward to showing our viewers poignant looks at the real stories that fascinate the public about celebrities and the many sides of fame.”