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via Cartoon Network press release:

Cartoon Network Picks Up First Two Live-Action Series

Tower Prep and Unnatural History Greenlit to One Hour Series

Cartoon Network has picked up thirteen episodes of two hour-long original, scripted live-action series, Tower Prep and Warner Horizon Television’s Unnatural History. Production on the network’s first-ever hour-long action series is slated to begin in January 2010.

Tower Prep is an action thriller telling the story of a rebellious teen, Ian (Drew Van Acker), who wakes up one morning to find himself trapped at a mysterious prep school focused on tapping into the “unique potential” of its students. Ian forms a secret group with fellow students CJ (Elise Gatien), Gabe (Ryan Pinkston) and Suki (Dyana Liu) as they search for answers to where they are and how to get home. The pilot was executive-produced and written by Paul Dini (Lost, Batman: Arkham Asylum), with Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, The Street) directing. The series will be produced out of Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, CA, in association with Dolphin Entertainment.

Unnatural History is an action-packed mystery series centering on Henry Griffin (Kevin G. Schmidt), a teenager with exceptional skills acquired through years of globe-trotting with his anthropologist parents. Shipped off to a high school in Washington D.C., Henry and his smooth-talking cousin Jasper (Jordan Gavaris) find themselves wrapped up in mysteries revolving around the national museum. Mike Werb (Face/Off, The Mask) created the series and wrote the pilot, which was directed by Emmy® Award winner Mikael Salomon (Band of Brothers, The Andromeda Strain, The Company). The series will be executive produced by Mike Werb and produced by Warner Horizon Television.

“These new series will offer our viewers a type of action-packed event entertainment not found anywhere else,” said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer of Cartoon Network. “We are looking forward to working with all of the great talent involved in these exciting new ventures, which we believe will be a powerful complement to our diverse and expanding array of original programming. “

Warner Horizon Television (WHTV) is one of the entertainment industry’s fastest-growing television companies, specializing in the creation of scripted series for the cable marketplace, and primetime reality series for both network and cable. Founded in 2006, this second production entity allows the Warner Bros. Television Group to expand its programming offerings and explore creative options made possible under a new business model. WHTV is producing more than a dozen series for broadcast and cable networks in 2009–2010.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.