Starz planning 'Crash' TV drama series

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. cable television movie network Starz said it is planning to air its first original drama series -- a show based on the Oscar-winning film "Crash."

Slated to debut exclusively on Starz this year, the 13-episode, one-hour series is co-produced with Lionsgate, which also distributed the movie.

Starz Entertainment, LLC said key members of the Oscar-winning theatrical production team are onboard for the series, including the film's director, co-writer and producer Paul Haggis, co-writer and producer Bobby Moresco, producer Bob Yari, producer Don Cheadle, producer Mark R. Harris and executive producer Tom Nunan.

This marks only the fifth time a best picture Oscar winner has been turned into a series.

Production on the drama is scheduled to begin in the spring.

"'Crash' introduced a whole range of fascinating characters and engrossing, intertwined stories that are ideally suited for developing into a TV series," Starz Entertainment's Stephan Shelanski said in a statement. "The fact that key members of the film's production team are involved will ensure that our series maintains the high level of talent and creativity captured in the film."