HBO US in deal with David Milch's Redboard Productions

MUMBAI: David Milch?s Redboard Productions has entered into a new multi-year exclusive television deal with US broadcaster HBO, which will also cover any further services on the upcoming series ?Luck?, starring Dustin Hoffman and debuting on the network in January 2012.

Redboard has also concluded an agreement with the William Faulkner Literary Estate to produce films and television series based on selections from Faulkner?s bibliography. The deal covers all of the 19 novels and 125 short stories in the estate, as well as other works, with the exception of those currently contracted with other parties. ICM, which reps Milch, brokered the deal with Redboard and the William Faulkner Literary Estate.

Under the terms of the agreement, Milch will partner with Lee Caplin, the executor of the William Faulkner Literary Estate and Picture Entertainment CEO to choose which works to develop, package and produce. Both Milch and Caplin will act as executive producers of those projects, with Milch serving as the executive writer in charge of adapting the works. The agreement gives HBO an exclusive first opportunity to finance, produce and distribute the projects as movies, miniseries and series. Olivia Milch will serve as coordinating producer on the projects.

HBO programming president Michael Lombardo said, "We are especially pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with one of the industry?s most talented contemporary writers. We know that whatever David brings to the HBO table will be exciting and innovative."

Milch added, "I?m delighted to expand my longstanding relationship with HBO to encompass the adaptation of some of the most important literary works by any American writer into television films and series. As we embark on this ambitious project, our first commitment is to serve the material, and we look forward to identifying and collaborating with the best screenwriters and filmmakers to help each of the pieces find its ideal form onscreen."