History Sets 'Knightfall’ Scripted Series

History will develop a new scripted series with actor Jeremy Renner that will chronicle the rise and fall of the Knights Templar, the network said Monday.

The series, Knightfall, will chronicle the actual events that led up to and followed the persecution, downfall and burning at the stake of the Knights Templar on Friday the 13th, 1307, according to Dirk Hoogstra, executive vice president and General Manager, History & H2.

Knightfall will be produced by A+E Studios in association with Renner and Don Handfield’s production company The Combine and Midnight Radio, said network officials. Handfield, Richard Rayner and Renner will also serve as executive producers from The Combine. Jeff Pinkner, Andre Nemec, Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg will serve as executive producers from Midnight Radio, said network officials.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.