9-1-1 may be pulling in a crowd on FOX, but an unscripted series focusing on 911 call handlers has landed a series order at ABC.
The network announced today new series Emergency Call will debut this fall.
Hosted by actor Luke Wilson and produced by 8HOURS TELEVISION, Emergency Call is a daring, new hour-long show documenting the first few crucial minutes of emergencies told through the lens of America’s heroic 911 call takers.
The series is set to premiere MONDAY, SEPT. 28 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), in the slot that The Good Doctor was supposed to call home.
The latter is currently on an extended hiatus due to COVID-19.
Hosted by Luke Wilson, Emergency Call follows the “dramatic moments leading up to the arrival of help rather than the events after the firefighters, police or emergency medical services teams arrive, and focuses on the extreme, suspenseful and sometimes humorous stories that flood 911 call centers,” according to ABC’s official logline.
“Since I was a kid, I have always been interested in people who help. People who save people,” said Luke Wilson.
“When you’re younger, you might be drawn toward superheroes or fictional characters, but as you get older you come to realize that people who help, real-life heroes, are just regular people who do extraordinary things.”
“911 call takers don’t just save people; they calm and console people until they are safe. They are the first link in the chain of first responders.”
For that, I feel very lucky to be a part of this project.”
“An estimated 240 million calls are made every year to 911 call centers across the country,” said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment.
“While we often hear about some of these stories on the news, we rarely hear about the heroes that are the first point of contact and, at times, essential to saving a life.”
“‘Emergency Call’ shines a light on these mysterious and brave voices who are driven by their desire to help; and Luke Wilson is the consummate host, navigating us through these extraordinary situations which will have you on the edge of your seat.”
The series is executive produced by Adeline Ramage Rooney and Jonny Slow (8HOURS TELEVISION), Grant Kahler (showrunner) and Luke Wilson.
The show is produced by 8HOURS TELEVISION, based on an original format by De Chinezen and licensed by Lineup Industries.
Have a look at the sneak peek of the series.
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Paul Dailly is the Associate Editor for TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter.