Nicholas Sparks to Develop Three Drama Series for Cable TV

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nicholas Sparks will soon have three cable network shows in development including "A Bend in the Road" at TNT, "The Falls" at ABC Family and "Deliverance Creek" at Lifetime. The author has penned 16 New York Times best-sellers, including the movie blockbusters The Notebook and Dear John and recently established Nicholas Sparks Productions with his longtime literary agent Theresa Park. Sparks and Park will serve as executive producers on all three upcoming projects.

The 46-year-old will develop a show based on his novel 'A Bend in the Road' for TNT along with Brandon Camp (Love Happens.) The romantic drama follows "a sheriff who must deal with problems in a coastal Georgia town that sees its population soar during the summer tourist season. The novel centered on the relationship between the recently widowed lawman and his son's second grade teacher."

Sparks will partner with John Norris on 'The Falls' for ABC Family. The drama is described as "a modern re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet."

At Lifetime, the author will develop 'Deliverance Creek', described as "a post-Civil War drama that explores the lengths one woman goes to protect her family, as she is caught between trying to be good and surviving." Melissa Carter (Jane by Design) will pen the pilot and executive produce.

The author's seven film adaptations of his books have grossed more than $650 million worldwide. 'Safe Haven' starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough will be the 8th novel to be released in theaters on February 8, 2013.

Sparks told The Hollywood Reporter that writing books will still be his first priority, but that the “collaborative aspects” of TV are appealing. “It’s a chance to venture into stories I don’t always write about,” he commented.