Sundance Channel Greenlights 'The Descendants'

Net also adds to scripted development team

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/11/2013 4:14:05 PM

Sundance Channel has greenlit its second wholly-owned scripted series, The Descendants (working title).

The series, which was picked up for six one-hour episodes, is from Aaron Guzikowski and Sarah Condon. The Descendants revolves around a sheriff trying to keep his family together while simultaneously policing two clashing communities.

The network premieres miniseries Top of the Lake on March 18 and series Rectify April 22.

Sundance Channel also announced two appointments to its scripted development team, including the first executive that will be based in Los Angeles.

Christian Vesper will now serve as senior VP of scripted development and current, while Jordan Helman was tapped as director, scripted development and current. Helman will be based in Los Angeles, reporting to Vesper. Vesper, who is based in New York, reports to Nena Rodrigue, who herself was recently hired as senior VP of original production and development.

"At Sundance Channel, we are passionately dedicated to the creation of non-formulaic, daring original stories and we are delighted with this outstanding new addition to our scripted slate," said Sarah Barnett, president and GM, Sundance Channel. "Christian's new position is richly deserved-he has been doing a fantastic job as the network has ramped up its scripted efforts, most notably by developing this new project and shepherding the upcoming Rectify and Top of the Lake from development to completion."