‘Salem’ Ordered to Series at WGN America

When Peter Liguori took the reigns of Tribune in January, he made original programming on WGN America a priority.

Now, that focus has bore fruit, as the cabler orders “Salem” straight to series from 20th Century Fox TV’s cable division Fox 21.

“Salem” hails from Brannon Braga (“24,” “Star Trek”) and Adam Simon (“The Haunting in Connecticut”) and is the first original scripted effort for WGN America. The 13-episode first run centers on Salem, a place where witches are real, though they are not who or what they seem.

“Salem” will begin lensing this fall, and WGN is eying a 2014 premiere for the series.

Braga and Simon created and penned “Salem,” and will exec produce the series alongside Prospect Park’s Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinetz.

“As WGN America launches its strategy of programming distinctive original content, ‘Salem’ is the perfect vehicle, and Gary, Dana, Bert and everyone at 20th with whom we have worked in the past is the perfect studio for us to begin this journey,” Liguori said. “Salem is a subject that has captivated readers and audiences, and this show gives us a chance to examine it with a fresh perspective through the eyes of great storytellers.

Matt Cherniss, prez and g.m. of the net added: “Brannon and Adam have an amazing vision for the world and characters that comprise Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials and we believe that a great adventure full of supernatural, romance, and action awaits the viewer.”