USA Network Starts Production on GRACELAND

Inspired by a true story, USA's new one-hour drama, GRACELAND, begins production in Fort Lauderdale, FL this week. From Executive Producer and WHITE COLLAR creator, Jeff Eastin, the series is slated to film 11 episodes (in addition to the completed pilot). GRACELAND stars Daniel Sunjata ("Rescue Me") and Aaron Tveit ("Les Miserables") and will bow summer 2013 on USA.

Said Eastin, "When I first learned about the real 'Graceland,' I knew this story was too good not to tell. People from three different government agencies living and working undercover in the same beach house - the amount of conflict, danger and fun that creates is incredibly exciting to me. Just as importantly, we want Graceland to break new ground for the network with a darker, grittier style."

GRACELAND delves into the lives of an elusive group of undercover agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and US Customs, whose worlds collide at a repossessed Southern California beachfront mansion called "Graceland" (the house got its name because the drug lord from whom the authorities seized the house was known to be an obsessed Elvis Presley fan). With three agencies living under one roof, ordinary roommate issues are amplified, as secrets are a matter of life or death. Graduating at the top of his class, FBI rookie, Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit) anticipates a traditional DC desk job when he's unexpectedly shipped to "Graceland." Immediately thrown into his first undercover assignment, he relies heavily on the guidance of legendary FBI agent and mentor Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata). Briggs is an unusually Zen senior agent who notoriously hates the rule book and will go to any length to protect "Graceland" from the outside world.

With an ensemble cast, the series also features Vanessa Ferlito ("Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps") as strong-willed DEA agent Catherine "Charlie" Lopez, BranDon Jay McLaren ("Fallen Skies") as quick-tempered US Customs agent Dale Jakes, and Manny Montana ("Chicago Code") as the fun-loving prankster FBI agent Joe "Johnny" Tuturro. Guest stars in the pilot include Courtney B. Vance, Scottie Thompson, Brooke Smith, Clayne Crawford and Jay Karnes.

From Fox Television Studios, Jeff Eastin serves as creator and executive producer. Sean Daniel served as executive producer on the pilot with Russell Fine (WHITE COLLAR, NECESSSARY ROUGHNESS) directing.

Fox Television Studios produces scripted and unscripted programming for US broadcast and cable networks, and international broadcasters. The studio produces the hit series Burn Notice, currently in its sixth season, and White Collar, now in its fourth season and renewed for season 5, both for USA; and the series The Glades for A&E, recently renewed for season four. FtvS also is in production on Graceland, its new series for USA from White Collar creator Jeff Eastin; The Americans for FX, starring Keri Russell, scheduled to premiere in early 2013; and Maron, a fictionalized look at the life of comedian and podcast sensation Marc Maron, for IFC. The studio is also developing and producing several pilots, including Sirens for USA, written by Denis Leary and Bob Fisher who executive-produce along with Jim Serpico (project is from Leary and Serpico's Apostle and Fox TV Studios). FtvS also produces original movies for various cable networks. Home Alone: The Holiday Heist, starring Malcolm McDowell, will air this winter on ABC Family, and Prosecuting Casey Anthony, starring Rob Lowe, will air in 2013 on Lifetime.

The #1 network in all of basic cable for six consecutive years and an unprecedented seven straight summers, USA Network is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. USA is a leader in scripted programming with a powerful stable of originals, spectacular live television and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, a broad portfolio of acquired series and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal.