Walking Dead's Darabont Bringing L.A. Noir to TV

TNT has ordered a pilot for L.A. Noir, a new drama series from executive producers Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead, The Shawshank Redemption), Michael De Luca (The Social Network, Moneyball) and Elliot Webb (Tall Time Tales).

No no no. Not *that* L.A. Noire, unfortunately. This one has no "e" at the end and is based on John Buntin's critically acclaimed book "L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City," which chronicles the epic battle between Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker and mobster Mickey Cohen. Darabont -- in his first big project since he was reportedly (and infamously) fired by AMC from The Walking Dead -- is set to write and direct the pilot. Still, they might consider casting Mad Men's Aaron Staton, who played Cole Phelps in the Rockstar game, right?

"The story of L.A. Noir is inspired by an incredibly dramatic period in the history of Los Angeles," said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "This project is a sweeping tale of the battle for the soul of the city that was waged between the forces of the LAPD and the West Coast mob. We're thrilled to be working with Frank Darabont and Michael De Luca, two award-winning storytellers behind some of the most entertaining films of the past two decades, as they to bring this intense and exciting crime-drama to TNT."

"Noir is a passion of mine, so I feel blessed to delve into a project that speaks in the hardboiled vernacular," said Darabont. "John Buntin's superb book, though non-fiction, is our touchstone and inspiration for the stories we'll be telling, weaving fiction throughout the facts and facts throughout the fiction. The book provides elements that are irresistible, a big canvas with endless possibilities. The goal is to deliver on the tone that the title L.A. Noir promises: a smart, gritty, authentic, period noir drama."

• More Television News
• Latest Television News, Reviews, and Videos