THE ALIENIST is a period-piece/psychological thriller series premiering on TNT, set to be directed by TRUE DETECTIVE's Cary Fukunaga, who was subsequently replaced by Jakob Verbruggen (BLACK MIRROR, HOUSE OF CARDS). It is based on the 1994 novel of the same name by author Caleb Carr, who has been trying to get this project off the ground for awhile now. Here's the official synopsis:
The psychological thriller drama is set in 1896, when a series of gruesome murders of boy prostitutes has gripped the city. Newly appointed top cop Teddy Roosevelt (Sean Astin) calls upon Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl), a criminal psychologist — aka alienist — and newspaper illustrator John Moore (Luke Evans) to conduct the investigation in secret. Joining them in the probe is Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), a headstrong secretary at Police Headquarters.
And here's the new trailer:
I like what I've seen so far. It's definitely stylish, and the acting seems solid. My only issue is, does it offer anything to the overstuffed serial killer genre besides a period setting and the interesting gender-politics aspect? Because both of those are pretty well-worn as it is as well. However, Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt is at least worthy of an episode or two.
Meanwhile, THE ALIENST will premiere on TNT later this year.