To me, Josh Schwartz will forever be known as the man behind soapy sensation The O.C., but the TV creator has a couple of other well-established projects under his belt — specifically, teen drama Gossip Girl and spy dramedy Chuck. Now the 34-year-old is planning a new show said to fall somewhere between these two series.
ABC has given the go-ahead on a pilot set in Washington, D.C., where “young politicos find that the ideals that brought them to D.C. don’t always match with the realities of living in the nation’s capital,” reports Variety. Schwartz will team up with producing partner Stephanie Savage once again (they’ve worked together on Gossip Girl), but no further details or casting news has been released at this time.
The Letter network has delved into the up-and-comers market a few times in recent years, and while some have seen great success (Canadian cop drama Rookie Blue was recently picked up for a second season), others have tanked miserably (boring law series The Deep End was canned after a mere six episodes).
I have high hopes that Schwartz’s new drama will fare well. Clearly, he’s proved himself a master at twentysomethings drama with Gossip and The O.C., and has the ability to bring the funny too, à la cult hit Chuck.
In spring 2009, Schwartz launched a web series, Rockville CA, yet another show about young adults — this time centred on a fictional rock club in Los Angeles. And, much like The O.C., this show highlights lots of indie bands, including Lykke Li, The Kooks and Kaiser Chiefs.
Schwartz has been married to Jill Stonerock since 2008; O.C. alum Rachel Bilson was the maid the honour at their nuptials.
Recently, a couple of TV shows have taken up shop in Washington. Top Chef: D.C., which premieres tonight in Canada, is based in the U.S. capital, as is the latest Real Housewives franchise spinoff, Real Housewives of DC.
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