Amazon Studios Greenlights Seven New Television Pilots for the 2015 Season

Amazon Studios has given the green light to seven new television pilots for the 2015 season from established creators like Ridley Scott (Alien) and Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files) as well as some newcomers. The pilots will be filmed and released on Amazon Prime Instant Video at which point viewers can provide feedback to Amazon about which pilots should be picked up for a full season.

Amazon released the titles and descriptions of the series in a blog post on their official Hollywonk site.

Cocked — A big city corporate lapdog is forced to return home and save his family’s struggling gun business, much to the horror of his liberal wife, his opinionated teenage kids and the older brother who never left. The hour-long dark comedy pilot was created by Sam Baum and Sam Shaw and stars Sam Trammell (True Blood), Jason Lee (My Name is Earl) and Brian Dennehy (The Good Wife).

Mad Dogs — When a group of underachieving forty-somethings reunite to celebrate the success of their buddy at his estate in Belize, the trip spirals into a darkly comedic labyrinth full of lies, deception and murder – putting their friendships to the ultimate test. An hour-long dramatic comedy created by Cris Cole (The Bill) and executive produced by Shawn Ryan (The Shield), the pilot stars Steve Zahn (Dallas Buyers Club), Billy Zane (Twin Peaks), Romany Malco (Weeds), Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) and Ben Chaplin.

Salem Rogers — After a decade in a posh rehab center, an outrageously untamed former supermodel tries to recreate her success in a new world she barely recognizes…a place where people no longer jump at her command, or (gasp!) even remember who she is. The half hour comedy stars Leslie Bibb (About a Boy), Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live) and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) and was written by newcomer Lindsey Stoddart, who submitted Salem Rogers to Amazon Studios as part the open screenplay process.

The Man in the High Castle — Based on Philip K. Dick’s award-winning novel, The Man in the High Castle questions what the world would look like if the Allied Powers had lost World War II and Japan and Germany ruled all nations, and tells the story through characters in various states of posing (spies, sellers of falsified goods, others with secret identities). The hour-long dramatic pilot stars Alexa Davalos (Mob City), Luke Kleintank (Pretty Little Liars) and Rubert Evans (Hellboy) and is executive produced by David Semel (Madam Secretary, Heroes), Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files) and Ridley Scott (Killing Jesus).

The New Yorker Presents — America’s most award-winning magazine is brought to life in this docu-series that spotlights the writers, artists and subjects featured in its revered pages. In the pilot episode, Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs) directs a documentary piece based on Rachel Aviv’s article, “A Very Valuable Reputation.” The pilot also features segments with Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spiderman), writer Ariel Levy and artist Marina Abramovic. Oscar and Emmy winning documentarian Alex Gibney (The Armstrong Lie) executive produces.

Point of Honor — At the start of the Civil War, a Virginia family makes the controversial decision to defend the South while freeing all of their slaves, pitting the family against one another and testing their strength, courage and love. Written by Carlton Cuse (Lost), the hour-long drama stars Nathan Parsons (True Blood) and Annebelle Stephenson (Revenge).

Down Dog — A dashing, happy-go-lucky LA yoga instructor has breezed through life, women and jobs, but when he breaks up with the woman who runs his yoga studio, he’s finally forced to face obstacles, and has to learn how to transcend himself. The half hour satirical comedy stars Josh Casaubon (I Just Want My Pants Back), Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds) and Kris Kristofferson (Lone Star), and was written by Robin Schiff (Are You There, Chelsea?).