NBC has ordered their first two pilots to series. Variety confirms that Rise (formerly called Drama High) and military drama For God and Country have been ordered to series.
Rise, which hails from Jason Katims, the brains behind Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, has already gained a large amount of buzz throughout the industry and reportedly already has a stocked writers room. The show centers on Lou Mazzuchelli (Josh Radnor), a hard-working teacher who decides to step in to help the school’s theater department. Rosie Perez, Marley Shelton, Auli’i Cravalho, Damon J. Gillespie, Amy Forsyth, Rarmian Newton, Ted Sutherland, Casey Johnson, Taylor Richardson, Joe Tippett, Shannon Purser and Shirley Rumierk are also set to star.
For God and Country follows a high-level military group and their surveillance techniques as they carry out dangerous missions. Anne Heche, Mike Vogel, Sofia Pernas, Tate Ellington, Natacha Karam, Demetrius Grosse, Noah Mills and Hadi Tabbal are set to star in the series.
Both series hail from Universal Television and the pilots were expected to be picked up to series. Rise and For God and Country are currently the only two new shows that NBC has picked up for the next television season. A 12-episode revival of Will & Grace has already been confirmed for new season, breakout hit This Is Us has been renewed for two more seasons and comedies The Good Place and Superstore have been renewed as well.
As all of the broadcast networks get closer to their upfronts presentation, which runs May 15 to 19, all of the networks will start to pick up on their renewals and cancellations and announcing the pilots that have been ordered to series. NBC’s presentation is May 15 in the morning.