Shelli Weinstein – Variety

Spike TV will be developing a series based on the historic events of the Crusades, teaming with Pierce Brosnan’s Irish DreamTime, Mark Sennet Entertainment, Michael Finch and David Franzoni for the project.

Billed as an event series, “The Crusaders” takes place during the Third Crusade, which is after the fall of Jerusalem to Saladin’s armies, and centers on two knights who journey from Scotland to the Holy Land for different reasons. There, bound together by war, they will encounter Richard the Lionheart, Saladin, the Hashshashin and their own personal demons.

“The Crusaders” will be executive produced by Brosnan and Bau St. Clair from Irish DreamTime, Mark Sennet (“Bag of Bones”), Brian Gary (“Jefferson Davis: An American President”) and Craig Sheftell from Sennet Entertainment. Michael Finch (“Predators”) and David Franzoni (“Gladiator”) are on board to executive produce as well as write.

Sharon Levy, executive vice president, original series, and Justin Lacob, vice president of original series, will oversee the project.

“Tut,” Spike TV’s first scripted series in seven years and one that also happens to be an historical drama, will debut in 2015. The cabler has also recently announced script options for ‘The Chairman,” based on Stephen Frey’s best-seller “War at the Shore,” based on Richard D. Bronson’s book, and “Basket Case,” from author and journalist Carl Hiaasen.