’12 monkeys’ showrunner terry matalas signs overall deal with ucp

_12 Monkeys_ co-creator, executive producer and showrunner Terry Matalas has signed an overall deal with Universal Cable Prods., the studio behind the Syfy series, which returns for a second

season on April 18. Under the pact — Matalas’ first overall agreement — he will continue as showrunner on_ 12 Monkeys_ if the series is renewed for a third season while also developing and

producing scripted programming with UCP for the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment portfolio as well as for external networks and streaming services. “Terry is a great writer and he’s

everything you want in a showrunner. He loves big ideas, writes amazing characters and always surprises us where he takes them,” said Dawn Olmstead, EVP, Development at UCP _12 Monkeys_ came

out of_ Splinter,_ an original spec script Matalas and _12 Monkeys_ co-creator Travis Fickett wrote together. The duo approached Atlas Entertainment, which had produced the 1995 Terry

Gilliam movie about merging their script with the film, and eventually sold the project to Syfy which picked it up to pilot and then to series. WATCH ON DEADLINE Matalas started off as an

assistant to veteran genre writer producer Brannon Braga while he was co-showrunner on_ Star Trek: Enterprise_. Matalas wrote stories for the sci-fi UPN series before reuniting with Braga on

 _Terra Nova,_ where Matalas was a staff writer. He also served as a writer/producer on the CW drama _Nikita._ _12 Monkeys_ continues the journey of James Cole (Aaron Stanford), a man from

2043 sent back in time to stop a malevolent organization known as the Army of the 12 Monkeys. The series is produced by UCP in association with Atlas Entertainment.‎ “For the last three

years, Universal Cable Productions have been incredible creative partners and there is nowhere else I’d rather call home,” said Matalas. “In addition to _12 Monkeys,_ I’m thrilled to be

developing new television with the UCP team.” Other creators/showrunners on UCP’s talent roster include _Mr. Robot_‘s Sam Esmail and _Suits_‘ Aaron Korsh. Matalas is repped by ICM Partners

and Brian Lutz Management.