FOX to Develop 'Event-Series' Based on O.J. Simpson Trial

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FOX to Develop 'Event-Series' Based on O.J. Simpson Trial The FOX network today announced that it will develop two mini-series projects, one based on James Clavell's best-selling work of fiction, Shogun and the other based on legal journalist Jeffrey Toobin's "The Run of His Life: The People vs. O.J. Simpson". According to CNN, the network is describing both projects as "event series," meaning that they are longer than typical mini-series and have the possibility of extending beyond one season.

"These are both Epic stories -- one fiction, one fact -- that have captivated millions of people worldwide," said Shana C. Waterman, a senior vp at Fox. "They're riveting and emotional, with unique historic backdrops that lend themselves to the high-quality, dramatic event series we're looking to make."

Below are the official descriptions for the projects:

SHOGUN, based on the best-selling novel by James Clavell, opens a window into the brutal world of a rarely seen feudal Japan. Set in the 17th Century, the story is told from the perspective of British hero John Blackthorne, a sailor who rises from outsider to samurai, while being used as a pawn in Japanese leader Toranaga's struggle to reach the top of the ruling chain, or Sh?gun. A classic for the ages, SHOGUN is both a cross-cultural exploration of Blackthorne's journey away from the European way of life, and a star-crossed love story, as he falls for the magnificent Lady Mariko, the married confidant to Toranaga.

Everybody remembers where they were when O.J. Simpson, riding in a white Bronco, led the police on a low-speed chase all over Los Angeles. This marked the emergence of the 24-hour news cycle and the birth of reality television. Written by Golden Globe Award winners Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski ("The People vs. Larry Flint," "Man on the Moon," "Ed Wood"), THE RUN OF HIS LIFE: THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON (wt) will take viewers behind the scenes of "The Trial of The Century," driven by the nonstop plot of a courtroom thriller and presenting the story of the trial as it has never been told.