Fellowes
Having previously explored "The Tudors," Showtime is now zeroing in on 19th century royalty with "The Vanderbilts."
Oscar winner Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park") has signed on to write the project, a period piece that follows the family behind the Vanderbilt railroad and shipping empire, starting with Cornelius Vanderbilt, once one of the wealthiest men in the world.
CBS TV Studios is producing, along with Simon West Prods. Bob Balaban (HBO's "Bernard and Doris") and Rob Paris exec produce.
Producer Joel Silver has also been developing a Vanderbilts project, for HBO (Daily Variety, Aug. 21, 2008).
After the kudos for writing 2001's "Gosford Park," Fellowes later received a National Board of Review kudo for directing 2005's "Separate Lives" (which he also wrote).
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com