NBC Orders Drama Pilot Inspired By Serial Criminal Profiler Pioneer Ann Burgess

NBC has picked up its third drama pilot of the week, greenlighting an untitled crime investigation drama from writers/executive producers Dean Georgaris (“Quantum Leap”) and John Fox (“The Equalizer”).

Universal Studio Group’s Universal TV is the studio on the show, which also comes from exec producer John Davis, via his Davis Entertainment shingle. Per the logline, the show revolves around professor Georgia Ryan, described as “a trailblazing psychologist who challenges the field of criminology by shifting the investigative focus to the victim rather than just the perpetrator in order to uncover the crucial clues that more traditional methods leave behind. Alongside her team, this pioneering expert consults with the FBI to solve the most baffling and elusive cases.”

The character of Ryan is inspired by the real-life work of expert profiler and author Dr. Ann Burgess. A forensic nurse, Burgess pioneered the assessment and treatment of trauma in rape victims; later, she collaborated with the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit thanks to her work with victims of sexual abuse.

Burgess is on board the NBC pilot as a consulting producer, as is Steven Constantine. Burgess and Constantine co-wrote the book “A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal Mind,” which chronicled Burgess’ work assisting the FBI in profiling serial killers. The duo also wrote last year’s “Expert Witness: The Weight of Our Testimony When Justice Hangs in the Balance.”

Burgess has consulted on cases involving Bill Cosby, the Menendez Brothers and other high profile names. For her work, she has received honors including being named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing.

Besides the “Quantum Leap” revival, Georgaris’ credits include “The Meg” and “The Meg 2,” as well as “The Baker and the Beauty” and “Bluff City Law.” Fox’s credits include “The Blacklist” and the updated “Magnum P.I.”

With this week of pilot orders, NBC is aiming to bring back some semblance of a pilot season like the old days. Earlier this week, NBC gave a pilot order to “Protection,” written by Josh Safran, about a family of law enforcement agents who become the target of a mysterious assassin. Safran exec produces that one with Jenna Bush Hager and Ben Spector. NBC also picked up the pilot to a reboot of “The Rockford Files,” from writer and executive producer Mike Daniels and exec producers Carl Beverly and Sarah Timberman. Those two pilots also come from Universal TV.