The recent show to come from Great Britain to American shores is “Broadchurch,” which was revamped into Fox’s “Gracepoint.” The show is currently not the big hit that Fox expected it would be, but that’s not stopping other networks from participating in the lure of bringing hard-hitting British dramas to the U.S.
The CW is the latest network to reinterpret a British drama for American audienes. The Hollywood Reporter states that “Pretty Little Liars” co-showrunner Oliver Goldstick will write the adaptation of ITV’s “The Town” for The CW. Goldstick will also executive produce with the original series’ writer-creator Mike Bartlett. The original starred Andrew Scott (best known in America as Moriarty from “Sherlock”) as a man looking for answers about his parents’ suicide, only to learn that his parents might have been murdered and the whole town could have blood on its hands.
This move to bring “The Town” to the CW marks a change in focus for the network, it would seem. It’s newest hit, “Jane the Virgin,” starring Gina Rodriguez, has been cited as a turning point for The CW. USA Today stated that the show could be a sign that The CW–known mostly for their tween/teen dramas and dramedies–is maturing. Luring a drama such as “The Town” seems to support this theory. Perhaps The CW is working to keep their audience as they grow up and age out of their frillier shows.
Of course, this isn’t to say that an American version of “The Town” will be automatically successful. As we’ve seen with “Gracepoint,” success isn’t always guaranteed, no matter how lavish the editing and artistically sparse the script.
What do you think about this news? Will you watch “The Town” when it comes to America? Give your opinions in the comments section below.
