New Alfred Hitchcock Anthology Series in the Works

The master of the macabre, Alfred Hitchcock, could be making a return to the small screen. Universal Cable Productions, which is owned by NBCUniversal, has signed an overall development deal with the Alfred Hitchcock estate to bring a re-imagining of his classic tales back to the small screen. The potential new project, called “Welcome to Hitchcock,” will be an anthology series that will cover one mystery or crime over a single season.

“Long after his death, Alfred Hitchcock continues to be one of the most celebrated directors and visionaries in the world, a master manipulator of the macabre,” said Dawn Olmstead, executive vice president of development at Universal Cable Productions. “We’re honored that the Hitchcock Estate has put its trust in our studio to pay homage to his work.”

“Our grandfather always collaborated with the best and the brightest to help shape his vision. We’re confident that Universal Cable Productions will take great care in helping us to continue preserving his legacy,” said Katie O’Connell-Fiala on behalf of the Hitchcock Trust and MTK Corporation, which was founded by O’Connell-Fiala and her sisters, Mary O’Connell-Stone and Tere O’Connell-Carrubba.

Vermilion Entertainment and 1492 Pictures/Ocean Blue Entertainment will produce “Welcome to Hitchcock” with UCP. The anthology marks Vermilion’s first scripted television project. The executive producers are Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan, Timmy Thompson and Todd Thompson, who will all work alongside the Hitchcock family. Columbus will also direct the pilot. Casey Tebo will serve as co-producer.

Original anthology “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” aired on from 1955 to 1965, first on CBS, then back and forth between NBC and CBS. NBC revived it in the 1985-86 season (out of Steven Spielberg’s “Amazing Stories”) and USA picked it up from 1987-88.