Variety is reporting this morning that Lost Executive Producer Carlton Cuse has signed on to co-write and executive produce a new drama for ABC set during the American Civil War, currently titled Point of Honor. Joining Cuse will be the writer of Braveheart, Randall Wallace.
After Lost completed its run, Cuse took his family to Washington, D.C. for a little rest and relaxation. They went to the Lincoln Memorial, and Cuse became intrigued by Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, given during the throes of the Civil War. That Second Inagural arrived during a hyper-partisan time that is echoed in today's political and economic climate, making the Civil War's issues and themes poignant today and ripe for a retelling.
For his part, Wallace has wanted to write a Civil war drama for quite some time. Both men are represented by the William Morris Agency, so when Cuse voiced his desire to create a Civil War-set series, the scribes were introduced. According to Cuse, they clicked immediately, "We found that the ideas we'd both been working on fit together incredibly well." The men have been keeping their plans close to the vest, but Cuse has said that the story will focus more on fictional characters than historical people, and that, like Lost, the series will have a clear beginning, middle and end from its inception.
Wallace also emphasizes that the series will not hew to a recounting of battle after battle. "We are dramatists, not historians. We want to let the audience experience what it was like to be in these times and live through these dramatic experiences," Wallace said.
ABC is reportedly allowing the series to develop at its own pace, and not be constrained by the traditional pilot season process. This is probably a great idea considering the size and scope this series would seem to require.
Personally, I think this sounds like a great idea for a series. I'm a Civil war buff, and find that era incredibly interesting. I know Cuse and Wallace say that the focus will be on fictional characters, but I'm already intrigued by who they might cast as historical figures that have to appear at some point, and whether Cuse will dip back into his Lost cast for the new series. Josh Holloway as General Tecumseh Sherman? Too bad Jorge Garcia has already found a new gig, because we know he has the facial hair to play General Burnside.
What do you think about the prospects for Point of Honor? Does this sound like something you will watch? Any other casting ideas? One has to figure President Lincoln will make an appearance (perhaps Daniel Day Lewis can guest star). What about Generals Lee and Grant? Michael Emerson as Confederate President Jefferson Davis, if his show with Terry O'Quinn falls through? Please leave your thoughts and comments below, and be sure to keep up with TVOvermind for any further developments on Point of Honor and all of your other TV needs.
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