A new AMC drama project will have to find a new director. Deadline.com reports that the director who was lined up for the pilot "Knifeman," Brian Percival, left the project for personal reasons.

"Based on Wendy Moore’s John Hunter biography 'The Knife Man: Blood, Body Snatching and the Birth of Modern Surgery,' 'Knifeman' centers on a charming, arrogant surgeon who robs graves and harvests organs in 18th century London," the story reports. "Rolin Jones wrote the pilot, which he developed with Ron Fitzgerald; both exec produce."

Percival is known for "The Book Thief," and won an Emmy Award for directing the pilot for "Downton Abbey," the report notes.

Brian Percival