NBC Eyes ‘Oliver Twist’ Procedural

NBC and Silver Pictures Television have announced a pilot-script deal for “Twist,” a modern-day adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 19th century novel “Oliver Twist.” The proposed series will focus on a struggling 20-something female who finally finds a true sense of family in a strange group of talented outcasts who use their unique skills to take down wealthy criminals.

Founder of Silver Pictures Television Joel Silver and president Rodney Ferrell will serve as executive producers on “Twist.” Writing team Chad Damiani and J.P. Lavin, known for the upcoming film adaptation of the game “Fruit Ninja,” have signed on to write the series’ pilot. Both Damiani and Lavin will also executive produce the project.

Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” centered on Oliver Twist, an orphan who is sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker who eventually escapes and travels to London where he meets the Artful Dodger and elderly criminal Fagin, who oversees the gang of juvenile pickpockets.