History performs Houdini act

A+E Networks-owned History has greenlit another scripted period miniseries, this time calling on Oscar-winner Adrien Brody to play famous escapologist Harry Houdini.

Production on the four-hour Houdini begins this fall, and will also star Kristen Connolly (House of Cards) as Houdini’s wife. The mini, which will trace the master magician’s roots in desperate poverty through to his worldwide fame in later life.

Mad Men studio Lionsgate is attached to coproduce along with A+E’s production arm, A+E Studios.

History’s first scripted series, The Bible and Vikings, were among the biggest ratings successes of recent years.

“It’s not magic that History has established a strong track record with its high-quality historical dramas from quality auspices. We’re excited to build on that tremendous momentum with Houdini,” said Dirk Hoogstra, executive VP and general manager, History (pictured).

Gerald W. Abrams and Andras Hamori will executive produce the project. Academy-nominated writer Nicholas Meyer (The Seven-Per-Cent Solution) is attached, with Uli Edel (The Baader Meinhof Complex) directing. Hoogstra and Julian P. Hobbs are executives in charge of production for History.