FX has secured the long-sought-after rights to Ken Follett’s epic best seller “Pillars of the Earth,” with “Gladiator” director Ridley Scott attached as executive producer.
The script-development deal calls for Mr. Scott to produce the historical saga as a six-hour miniseries, pending a green light from the network. The script is being written by John Pielmeier, who co-wrote the recent CBS telepic “Hitler: The Rise of Evil” and the acclaimed 1985 film “Agnes of God.”
Mr. Follett’s 1989 best seller follows the building of a cathedral in 12th century England over the course of several decades. The construction serves as a nexus for several characters who are embroiled in political intrigue, romance and war.
Though the network had no official comment, one inside source said Mr. Follett refused to sell the rights to “Pillars” for years and originally wanted an eight-hour miniseries commitment.
The series would not be Mr. Scott’s first production of a televised historical drama. He recently executive produced the Winston Churchill biographical film “The Gathering Storm” for HBO.