Red Arrow Studios International’s hit scripted format Einstein is in development at US Network NBC, with writer Michael Reisz (Shadowhunters), Carol Mendelsohn, Tariq Jalil’s Intrigue Entertainment and Universal TV, where Mendelsohn’s Carol Mendelsohn Productions is based.
Written by Reisz, Einstein follows a whip-smart, smooth-talking and illegitimate descendant of Albert Einstein who is recruited by the police for his skills at solving particularly complex cases.
Reisz executive produces with Mendelsohn and Julie Weitz via Carol Mendelsohn Productions, Jan David Frouman, Henrik Pabst, and Shirley Bowers of Red Arrow Studios International, as well as Intrigue’s Tariq Jalil. Joe Wiggins and Lucas Carter co-produce for Intrigue. Universal TV produces in association with Carol Mendelsohn Productions and Intrigue.
The original series, created and produced by Zeitsprung Pictures for Germany’s SAT.1 and starring Tom Beck (Alarm for Cobra 11), was a ratings success for the channel and has been recommissioned for a third season. The show ranked number one in its slot and increased the average channel share by over 55%. Einstein has sold to over 100 territories including Spain and Portugal, and the scripted format is being adapted in Slovenia, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Reisz serves as co-executive producer on the CW’s Charmed. He previously was executive producer on Freeform’s Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments. His series credits also include Unforgettable, The Client List and Hawaii Five-O. In features, he most recently co-wrote the screenplay for Blumhouse thriller Truth or Dare. Reisz is repped by Verve, Industry Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson.
Einstein is one of several sales for Mendelsohn in her first year under an overall deal at Universal TV, including drama Capital, also at NBC. She is repped by WME and Jackoway Austen. Intrigue also has drama Connect at Fox with a put pilot commitment.