UKTV’s crime drama channel Alibi has acquired the hit Emmy-nominated US mini-series Waco, staring Taylor Kitsch (True Detective, Friday Night Lights), and Michael Shannon (Little Drummer Girl, Shape of Water).
The drama series focuses on the 51-day gun battle – the longest in U.S. law enforcement history – following a raid by the FBI on cult leader David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch) and his devout followers, just outside Waco, Texas in 1993.
The aftermath of the gun battle led to the deaths of four agents and six civilians, with dozens more wounded. A fire then engulfed the compound killing the 76 men, women and children inside.
What really happened during those 51 days remains a mystery and is one of the most misunderstood stories in American history.
Emma Ayech, channel director for Alibi, said: “The performances from Taylor Kitsch and Michael Shannon are in a league of their own and bring out the previously unseen human side to this infamous story.”
The series is written by John Erick Dowdle (Quarantine, No Escape) and Drew Dowdle, who also serve as executive producers alongside Shannon and Kitsch.
Also joining the cast are Andrea Riseborough (National Treasure, Black Mirror), John Leguizamo (Bloodline, Romeo + Juliet), with Melissa Benoist (Supergirl, Glee) and Julie Garner (Ozark, Dirty John).
Waco will air on Alibi this summer.
The second limited series acquired by Alibi is TNT’s I Am the Night staring Chris Pine (Wonder Woman, Star Trek), reuniting him with Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins, who directs the first two episodes.
The series, inspired by true events, focuses on the story of Fauna Hodel – played by India Eisley (Underworld Awakening, Look Away) – a teenage girl given away at birth who one day makes a discovery that makes her question everything about the secrets of her past.
Fauna, along with ruined reporter Jay Singletary (Pine), follow a sinister path that leads to infamous LA gynaecologist Dr. George Hodel (played by Jefferson Mays, The Americans), a man involved with one of LA’s most infamous cold cases.
Emma Ayech said: “I Am the Night is an addictive thriller that will take Alibi into new dramatic territory this summer.”
Pine, Eisley and Mays are joined by Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman) and Leland Orser (Berlin Station).
The series is written by Sam Sheridan (A Fighter’s Heart, The Disaster Diaries), with Jenkins, Pine and Michael Sugar (13 Reasons Why, Spotlight) serving as executive producers.
I Am the Night comes to Alibi later this year.
