ABC picks up 'Copper'

Network nabs 13 episodes of cop drama

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

HOLLYWOOD -- ABC has picked up 13 episodes of the cop drama "Copper," a Canadian co-production from indie studio E1 Entertainment.

Series reps the latest international co-production to make its way onto the U.S. airwaves -- a quickly growing trend in primetime. "Copper" will air in Canada on Canwest Global.

It's also the latest U.S. pickup for E1, which is rapidly expanding its domestic presence, having sold the series "Hung" to HBO, "Testees" to FX and another Canadian co-production, "The Bridge," to CBS.

"Copper" revolves around five rookie cops.

Ilana Frank, whose shingle Thump Inc. has an overall deal with E1, is exec producing along with showrunner Tassie Cameron ("Flashpoint"). Cameron, Morwyn Brebner and Ellen Vanstone created the show. E1's John Morayniss and Noreen Halpern will exec produce as well.

"Our ability to combine our creative auspices, business acumen and alternative sources of financing makes our shows very appealing to U.S. buyers," Morayniss said.

Canwest initially commissioned the pilot and series. E1 handles worldwide distribution for the show.

"Copper" joins a slew of other Canadian and international co-productions hitting the U.S. broadcast networks in the coming months. ABC also has the miniseries "Diamonds" and "Impact" this summer, and "Ben Hur" next year; Fox is airing the series "Mental"; NBC has "The Listener," "Merlin" and "The Philanthropist"; CBS has "The Bridge" and "Flashpoint"; and more are likely to come.