TCA16: Nat Geo Greenlights ‘Dragon Teeth’ Scripted Series

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Beverly Hills, Calif. -- National Geographic Channel will develop a limited scripted series based on Michael Crichton’s soon-to-be published manuscript Dragon Teeth, said network officials.

As part of a development deal between Nat Geo, Amblin Television and Sony Pictures Television and CrichtonSun, the DragonTeeth limited series follows the rival between real-life paleontologists Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh during a time of intense fossil speculation and discovery, said network officials.

“This epic tale of science, adventure and exploration from master storyteller Michael Crichton is the perfect scripted project for the network,” said Carolyn Bernstein, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Scripted Development and Production, National Geographic Channel. “With Amblin, Sony Pictures Television, CrichtonSun and the distinctive creative voices of Graham and Bruce, we are going to tell the dramatic story of these two passionate mavericks, Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh, and their relentless, passionate, and oftentimes unscrupulous drive in the name of scientific discovery, mixed with the very unique and brilliant Crichton touch and approach.”

In other TCA news, the network said it will debut the third season of StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson onMonday, Sept. 19 with guest Whoopi Goldberg.

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.