Battlefield TV Show in the Works

A TV series based on the Battlefield game franchise is in development, although many of the specifics remain up in the air.

Paramount Television and Anonymous Content (True Detective, Mr. Robot, The Revenant) have obtained the rights to produce a show based from Electronic Arts and DICE, it was announced today. Neither of the companies has produced a show based on a video game before.

There's no network attached as of yet, but the deal spans broadcast, cable, premium cable, and streaming services, so it offers a wide variety of options on that front. Michael Sugar will serve as executive producer. He'd previously served in that role on shows such as Stroumboulopoulos and The OA, while also producing Spotlight and The Fifth Estate.

"Battlefield has a tremendous built-in, engaged fan base, making it a highly coveted piece of IP primed for long-form adaptation," Sugar said. "Together with EA and Paramount TV, we’ll develop the Battlefield TV series with the same commitment to robust storytelling that has made the game such a runaway success for nearly 15 years."

"Paramount TV actively seeks smart content from all sectors that will resonate with audiences and translate to compelling programming," Paramount TV president Amy Powell said. "EA's Battlefield has an incredibly dynamic narrative, coupled with a loyal fan base, which will allow us to bring this exciting and unique property to the small screen. We look forward to working with EA and Anonymous Content and thank Michael Sugar for his tenacity in bringing us this exciting project."

EA's Patrick Soderlund also chimed in, adding, "Battlefield is one of the most loved properties among our players. We are thrilled that Anonymous Content and Paramount TV will look to introduce fans to Battlefield through a new medium."

There's no word yet on whether the show will be based on any particular game in the series, or indeed if it will have anything in common with them beyond the name. (Story has never been their strong suit.) The next game, Battlefield 1, is due out in October.

Back in 2012, Fox attempted to adapt Battlefield to the small screen. The project was set to be an hour-long action-comedy based on Battlefield: Bad Company, but it unsurprisingly did not come to fruition.