Octavia Spencer is coming to television with Red Band Society, a new series produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. Fox has ordered the project to series.
Red Band Society dates back to 2011 when ABC was developing the project. ABC TV Studios is still on board as co-producer with Amblin. Fox ordered the project in January as a “series prototype,” which includes a pilot and scripts for further episodes.
The series is based on the Spanish show Polseres Vermelles and centers on a group of teens who become unlikely friends at a hospital. Spencer joined the show in February after NBC ended plans for her to star in a Murder, She Wrote reboot. Brothers & Sisters actor Dave Annable also stars.
Variety confirmed tonight that the show earned a series order. The pilot was written by Margaret Nagle. Spielberg is among the executive producers.
Fox is leaving no surprises for its upfront presentation for advertisers, which is when networks usually announce the new TV season schedule. The network has also ordered Empire and Gotham straight to series.