Oscar-nominated producer Michael London (Sideways) and his production company, Groundswell Productions, have entered a multi-year first-look deal with CBS TV Studios. The non-exclusive pact covers projects for the broadcast networks as well as CBS Studios’ premium cable sibling Showtime.
The first sale under the deal is Monger, a half-hour comedy at Showtime written by rising young indie filmmakers Ben and Josh Safdie, who are also attached to direct. Loosely based on Safdie brothers’ relationship with their own father, Monger, now in development, is about two adult brothers and their relationship with their father who is a New York City fishmonger.
In conjunction with the CBS TV Studios deal, Groundswell has hired Hilary Zaitz Michael as Director of Development for Film and Television. She will report to London and president of production Janice Williams.
Groundswell Productions’ TV portfolio includes psychological drama series Chance starring Hugh Laurie, which just landed a two-season pickup at Hulu, fantasy series The Magicians, which premieres next Monday on Syfy, and the upcoming HBO movie Confirmation starring Kerry Washington.
Born and raised in Queens and Manhattan in NY, Josh and Benny Safdie (b. 1984 and 1986) were in their early-to-mid 20s when they made their first feature together, Daddy Longlegs. (Josh made his feature directorial debut with the 2008 The Pleasure Of Being Robbed). Daddy Longlegs premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and was released by IFC Films, winning a Spirit Award as well as an acting Gotham Award. The Safdies’ feature documentary Lenny Cooke aired on Showtime and ESPN and garnered a Black Reel Award for best documentary. Most recently their 2015 film Heaven Knows What was released by Radius/The Weinstein Company and has garnered Gotham and Spirit Award nominations.
London is repped by WME.
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