In Depth
A&E Puts Swayze's 'Beast' Into Production
A&E Network has decided to go forward with production of a new series starring Patrick Swayze, who discovered he had a life-threatening pancreatic cancer a few months ago.
"The Beast" had been a leading contender to be A&E's first original scripted drama under the network's new management team, but Mr. Swayze's illness caused a delay.
In the series, Mr. Swayze will play an unorthodox FBI veteran training a new partner, played by Travis Fimmel, who starred in ABC's 2003 series "Tarzan." Mr. Swayze's character is under investigation by a secret Internal Affairs team that wants Mr. Fimmel's character to spy on his partner as part of the inquiry.
Production will begin this summer in Chicago on 13 one-hour episodes. The series is tentatively scheduled to air in early 2009.
“We’re very excited to begin series production on ‘The Beast’ and even more thrilled to have Patrick on board reprising the role he played so powerfully in the pilot opposite Travis, who is certainly an emerging talent in his own right,” Bob DiBitetto, executive VP and general manager of A&E Network, said in a statement.
The network said Mr. Swayze "has responded well to treatment and his doctors have given him
the go-ahead to resume working."
A&E, which had been building a larger, younger audience base with reality shows such as "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and acquisitions including "CSI: Miami" and "The Sopranos," will launch its first scripted drama in six years with “The Cleaner” starring Benjamin Bratt, which premieres July 15.
(Editor: Horowitz)
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Comments 14
Ullibo
It will be good for him, but only if he´ll take good care of himself. I send him the best wishes.
Do what you are able to to, follow your heard!
Ullibo from Germany
julia
May GodBless you in all you do .
Carrie australia
I am obsessed with your work. May God shine on you and keep you strong, Patrick.
Jim
May your health continue to improve. Yes you are a miracle man.
Cheryl Marks
Congratulations on your good health and return to work. I can't wait to see you in the new series, The Beast. Enjoy!
cindy , joe and savannah
lisa and patrick good well and best wishes hang in there patrick you look great dont look back the lord is watching out for u praise god
he is the best and pray if u don't pray the devil will play...
stephanie K
Just want to let you know that u are in our prayers and we hope all is well. I will always be thinking of you.
Laurel and Carmen
Dear Mr. Swayze, We are looking forward to your new series, The Beast, and are so pleased to see that you are winning your fight against cancer. As an RN I know that a positive attitude, a sense of purpose and a sense of control of your life are the keystones tolengthy survivalwith a serious illness. That, and the support of your wife and all of us out here who admire you will hopefully keep you wellfor a long time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Long time Houstonians- Laurel and Carmen (Yes, Carmen is a he, my husband of 45 years)
Shirley
Patrick, I just want to wish you a long and happy life.I have been a fan of yours for years. I have not heard how you are doing lately so, How are you doing ? We Love You
Linda and Rich
Dear Patick and Lisa..having just dealth with this disease with a wonderful friend, I am pleased to see you fighting with such vigor and a such a positive attitude. Yes, you are in the fight of your life....God Bless you both and may he grant you grace to walk day by day, arm in arm, one step at a time.
P.S.
My daughter is married to David Swayze. I talked to the senior, Dr. Don Swayze( a radiologist in Penn.) and asked if they were related to you . Yes, he said, but quite a ways back. He was very knowledgeable regarding the family tree. David shows an uncanny resemblence to you, as does his brother, Dr. Don Swayze a surgeon in Missouri. David is also a very talented song-writer/singer. Must run in the family.
God Speed and stay focused.
Linda and Rich
Debbie
Patrick -
I watched your first episode of The Beast last week and was not let down at all. In my opinion you still have the same vigor for your roles as you did in Roadhouse and The Kin (of which are my favorites of yours).
I can only imagine what it must take to act in such an action packed series as this one, but you do it very well. The prayers of ALL your fans go out to you as you courageously battle this horrible cancer.
Debbie C.
michelle wittersheim
I just want to let Patrick and Lisa know that my thoughts and prays are with you. I hope you can feel all the positive energy that is coming your way. I am a huge fan of yours and love watching any movie you are in. My husband and I love watching "Roadhouse", we love watching you kick ass. Of course my favorite is "Ghost" but I love watching you kick the bad guys butts. Maybe you can consider the cancer the bad guy and you just have to kick it's ass! I have been watching "The Beast" and it is one of my new favorites! Good luck to you and Lisa and I hope you can feel all the love coming your way. Love Michelle Wittersheim
elaine lively
love your new show The Beast you are great in the role and its well worth staying up for.We wish you full recovery from your illness God Bless
Kellie Edis
Dear Mr.Swayze,
I was saddened to hear of your cancer but also know that you will beat this. As a 2 year breast cancer survivor(although the two are not in the same catagory)I feel for you and the treatments you must undergo. I feel for your wife and your whole family the pain and anguish they all must be going through.I have a little saying that was given to me when I went to the hope awards at city of hope in Duarte California,this was given to me at my six month point and I would like to share this with you. I don't know who wrote this but here it is I HAVE LIVED,LAUGHED,LOVED AND LOST. I HAVE CRIED,MOURNED AND GRIEVED,HOPED PRAYED AND HEALED. I HAVE FOUND STRENGTH AND TRUE BEAUTY. I AM A SURVIVER. I know you are still fighting this awful disease, but you are truely a survivor already for taking this on and fighting it. I wish you, your wife and the rest of your family nothing but the best and I will be praying for you everynight. Lastly I just want to say that I love to watch anything that you are in. You are a very talented and gifted actor. My favorite is Dirty Dancing. In May my kids are taking my sister and myself as a birthday present to see "What else" Dirty Dancing on stage at the Pantages in Hollywood and I am so looking foward to seeing it. KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT AND YOU WILL BE A WINNER. KELLIE LYNN ENGEL EDIS,TEMPLE CITY CALIFORNIA.