Donnie Wahlberg has been signed to star opposite John Leguizamo in Spike TV’s new fast-paced, thrilling original scripted eight-hour dramatic event “The Kill Pit.” Additionally, acclaimed director Steve Shill (“The Sopranos,” “The Wire,” “Rome” and the upcoming series “The Tudors”) has joined the production to direct the first four hours. Written by James DeMonaco (The Negotiator, Assault on Precinct 13) and executive produced by David Hoberman (“Monk,” Bringing Down the House), Todd Lieberman (Eight Below, Bringing Down the House) and DeMonaco, the series follows a bank heist that goes terribly awry and the hostage negotiations that ensue. “The Kill Pit” is produced by Lionsgate in association with Mandeville.
“Donnie is an incredibly versatile actor with a tremendous amount of soul,” says Pancho Mansfield, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Spike TV. “He is a great addition to the show and we know that his character will resonate with our male viewers.”
“The Kill Pit” revolves around a downtown bank robbery by a team of American Iraqi-War veterans. More than a dozen hostages from all walks of life are taken, ranging from the daughter of a business tycoon to an adulterous couple. Throughout the eight-hour event, viewers will follow the escalating action as the volatile soldiers plot their way out, the negotiator anticipates their moves and the hostages desperately try to survive. Time is critical and the game intensifies with surprising twists at every turn.
“The Kill Pit” will be filmed on locations in and around Pittsburgh and is slated to go into production during the first quarter of this year for a summer 2007 premiere. Bill McGoldrick is Spike TV’s Executive in Charge of Production.
