Landmark Studio Group (Landmark), a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. company, has partnered with District 33 (BlackBalled) to develop and produce a new limited event drama series, "Shadows in the Vineyard", with multiple award-winning actors Noah Wyle (The Red Line, Falling Skies, ER) and Judith Light (The Politician, Transparent, Ugly Betty, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) slated to star and executive produce.
Based on the shockingly true tale of a plot to destroy the vines of La Romance-Conti, Burgundy's finest and most expensive wine as featured in journalist Maximillian Potter’s New York Times critically acclaimed and bestselling book, Shadows in the Vineyard: The True Story of the Plot to Poison The World's Greatest Wine, the new series will be scripted by John Newman (Get Shorty, Proud Mary), Peter Cambor and Potter. "Shadows in the Vineyard" will be executive produced by Cambor and Sam Widdoes of District 33, Potter, Newman, Light, Wyle, Christopher Cole, and Landmark’s David Ozer and Tim Rouhana. Landmark will market the series, which will be distributed by Screen Media, and anticipates production to begin in Q1 2021 in Europe. The deal was brokered by Danny Sussman at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Josie Freedman at ICM, and Larry Weissman at Larry Weissman Literary Agency.
Set against the backdrop of the gorgeous, rolling countryside of the Côte-d’Or in Burgundy, France, "Shadows in the Vineyard" is based on the true story of the outlandish 2010 plot-by-poison extortion scheme, a sinister criminal conspiracy which targeted the most sought-after and expensive wine in the world – the legendary Romanée-Conti. “This is a fascinating crime story, but it’s really a love story,” Potter said. “I went to Burgundy not knowing or caring a thing about wine; I went to report on a crime, but I fell in love with Burgundy. When I was losing faith in the world and my fellow man, burned out by the ugliness I had been covering as a journalist, Burgundy came out of nowhere and restored my faith in life, in humanity. The world needs to know a place and people like Burgundy exists as it gives us all hope and something to aspire to. Maybe now more than ever.”
“Shadows in the Vineyard is rife with rich characters and a compelling narrative that will take viewers on a twisted tale of both a shocking who-done-it mystery and a journey of self-discovery that will resonate with a global audience,” stated Landmark’s Ozer. “With Maximillian, John, Peter, and Sam leading the charge of capturing the heart of the story for the screen, along with the star talents of Judith and Noah and a beautiful location to create the ambiance, we have no doubt that this series, which has spin-off potential, will be a hit.”