MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox?s channel FX has placed a 13-episode order for ?The Bridge?, a new drama series from Writer/Producers Meredith Stiehm and Elwood Reid starring Demi?n Bichir and Diane Kruger.

The announcement was made by FX Networks president, GM John Landgraf. Production begins in April and the series premieres in July. ?The Bridge? is a co-production of Shine America and FX Productions.

Set on the border between El Paso and Juarez, ?The Bridge? centers on two detectives, one from the US and another from Mexico, who must work together to hunt down a serial killer operating on both sides of the US-Mexican border.

It will be distributed by Shine International.

Landgraf said, "For years networks have been trying to develop a drama series set on the US-Mexican border without any success. I?m thrilled to say that Meredith Stiehm and Elwood Reid have become the first to crack that creative code and they have done so magnificently. There have been great films set in that world - ?No Country for Old Men? and ?Lone Star? come to mind - but never a great TV series. This one is special. The setting, the writing, the direction, and the way it is brought to life by Demi?n Bichir, Diane Kruger and the rest of the cast makes for truly riveting drama."

Stiehm and Reid said, "Working with FX has been amazing. The border has so many rich and compelling stories to tell and John Landgraf, Nick Grad and Eric Schrier, along with the Shine America team, are just as excited as we are to bring those stories to life."

Shine America CEO Rich Ross said, "We are thrilled to partner with FX on ?The Bridge,? a series with tremendous auspices and a very strong international pedigree. As our first scripted series launch under the new Shine America banner, we could not be more proud of the team that has been assembled by Meredith, Elwood and Carolyn."

MUMBAI: Facing pressure over the box office flop of ?John Carter?, Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross has resigned.

Disney is expected to lose around $200 million from ?John Carter?. Ross was in the job for two and a half years.

Last year ?Mars Needs Moms? lost $70 million. Ross said in a memo that he no longer believed his role as chairman of Walt Disney Studios was the right professional fit.

Analysts have put some of the blame of the box office failures also on Disney CEO Robert Iger, who has been trying to modernise the studio.

Prior to this position, Ross had a lot of experience in television. But making the transition to film did not work. Reports also state that he did not surround himself with an experienced enough team.