Spike TV Develops Script for Original Series Based on Stephen Frey’s Best-Selling Novel, “The Chairman” Executive Produced by [and possibly starring] Julian McMahon

[Spike TV Press Release]

SPIKE TV DEVELOPS SCRIPT FOR ORIGINAL SERIES BASED ON STEPHEN FREY’S BEST-SELLING NOVEL, “THE CHAIRMAN”

Ben Silverman’s Electus To Executive Produce Actor/Producer Julian McMahon, David Schiff, Greg Suess of ROAR, Jeremy Elice of Elice Island, and Dana Vachon To Serve As Executive Producers

New York, NY, June 10, 2014 –Spike TV has joined forces with Ben Silverman’s Electus to develop a script for an original series, “The Chairman,” based on the best-selling novel by acclaimed author Stephen Frey. Award-winning producer Ben Silverman (“The Office, “The Tudors,” “Ugly Betty,” “The Biggest Loser”) of Electus, Jeremy Elice of Elice Island, renowned actor Julian McMahon (“Nip/Tuck”), and David Schiff are the Executive Producers for “The Chairman” with Sean Canino of Electus as Co-Executive Producer. Dana Vachon, “Mergers & Acquisitions” author and Vanity Fair contributor, serves as Executive Producer and Writer. Greg Suess from ROAR will serve as Executive Producer as well.

“When Julian McMahon and Greg Suess brought us this great book series, we knew it could be the basis of a stylized, smart, aggressive, character-driven story in the financial world unlike anything that has previously been on television,” says Silverman. “We’re collectively so thrilled to both be a part of Spike’s emerging scripted brand and make talked-about TV with our fantastic writer, Dana Vachon.”

“The Chairman” is the story of Christian Gillette, a Gulf War veteran who is charismatic, powerful, cool under fire, and tremendously connected. Gillette takes over a billion dollar private equity fund after its founder’s mysterious death. As his new powers open secret doors he realizes that the world of apparently gentrified Manhattan finance is closely tied to the brutal realm of war that still haunts him — and that some of its most dangerous players are now his inherited enemies.

“The Chairman” is a suspense thriller following Christian’s odyssey through worlds of ill-gotten riches in an age of extreme inequality; a tale of money, exile and murder playing out in the blackened heart of the American dream. Stephen Frey is a New York Times best-selling author.

Since 1995, he’s had 20 novels published with Penguin, Putnam, Random House, Simon & Schuster and Amazon Publishing. His latest work, “Red Cell 7,” the sequel to “Arctic Fire,” was published in January. Frey’s next novel, “Kodiak Sky,” will be published in November 2014 by Amazon Publishing. He is represented by the Cynthia Manson Literary Agency and Steve Fisher at APA.

Julian McMahon [who may also star in the project] is represented by Paradigm and The Schiff Company.

Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV and Justin Lacob, Vice President, Original Series, will oversee the project.

About Spike TV:
Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

About Electus:
Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world, including: broadcast, cable, digital, OTT and various emerging technologies. The company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be true partners in campaigns and content creation.

About ROAR:
ROAR is a talent, music, and brand management firm with expertise in career & business development, strategic partnerships, and marketing solutions. The ROAR team comes from diverse, yet complementary backgrounds in music, motion picture, television, publishing, concert & event production, branded entertainment, digital marketing, media strategy, corporate partnerships, retail, finance and legal, offering a true 360 degree approach to client service. ROAR clients include leading musicians, actors, writers, directors, comedians, entertainment & lifestyle companies, experts & icons, and family offices engaged in entertainment and lifestyle initiatives. www.roar.la