Tom Freston to exec AMC Afghan drama pilot

US cable net AMC has ordered a pilot for White City, a drama series about journalists and diplomats in Afghanistan. Ex-Viacom boss Tom Freston will exec produce the show.

The pilot hails from co-writers and co-executive producers Nick McDonell, a journalist who has covered Iraq and Afghanistan for TIME, and John Dempsey, former long-time resident of Kabul and senior diplomatic advisor on Afghanistan to the US.

Chris Mundy, the Rolling Stone journalist and Criminal Minds showrunner, will be the other exec producer on White City. AMC’s in-house production unit, AMC Studios, will make the pilot.

If taken to series, Entertainment One will handle international sales under the terms of its distribution pact with AMC.

Joel Stillerman, AMC’s executive vice president of original programming, production and digital content said” “It’s not a war story, it’s a character story that will tackle some of the most complicated issues of our time.”