Scalped (TV pilot) explained

Developer:	Doug Jung
Composer:	Hannes De Maeyer
Country:	United States
Language:	English
List Episodes:	Episodes
Camera:	Single-camera
Channel:	WGN America

Scalped is an American unaired television pilot episode developed by Doug Jung and Geoff Johns for WGN America.^[1] It is an adaptation of the comic book series Scalped created by Jason Aaron and R. M. Guéra, and published by DC Comics under their Vertigo imprint.

Premise

Scalped is a modern-day crime story set in the world of a Native American Indian reservation, and explores power, loyalty, and spirituality in a community led by the ambitious Chief Lincoln Red Crow, as he reckons with Dashiell Bad Horse who has returned home after years away from the reservation.^[2]

Cast and characters

The pilot episode featured an all Native American cast:^[2]

• Alex Meraz as Dashiell Bad Horse: His return sets him on a violent path of self-discovery about his place on the Rez and on a collision course with both his estranged mother and Red Crow.^[3]
• Gil Birmingham as Chief Lincoln Red Crow: A Lakota elder involved in every aspect of life on the reservation.^[4]
• Irene Bedard as Gina Bad Horse: A legendary activist and Dashiell's mother.^[4]
• Chaske Spencer as Sheriff Falls Down^[4]
• Forrest Goodluck as Dino Poor Bear

Lily Gladstone was cast as Carol Red Crow, intended as a recurring role.^[5]

Production

In 2014 WGN America was developing a live action TV show Scalped, based on the Vertigo comic book series of the same name.^[6] The pilot order was given in March 2016.^[2] By February 2017, Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi were attached to direct a pilot.^[7] The pilot was filmed in New Mexico in early April,^[8] but in November, after WGN saw the pilot episode, they decided to pass on the series.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: PILOT ORDERED FOR DC COMICS / VERTIGO ADAPTATION SCALPED. IGN. March 7, 2016. March 7, 2016.
2. Web site: WGN America Gives Pilot Orders To 'Roadside Picnic' Strugatsky Bros. Drama, 'Scalped' DC Comics Adaptation. deadline.com/. March 7, 2016. March 7, 2016.
3. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Scalped': Alex Meraz Cast As Lead In WGN America Drama Pilot. 17 February 2017. Deadline. 17 February 2017.
4. Web site: Bojalad. Alec. Scalped TV Series Adds to Cast, Gets a Producer. Den of Geek. March 12, 2017.
5. Web site: Wagmeister. Elizabeth. 'Certain Women' Breakout Lily Gladstone to Star in WGN America's DC Comics Pilot 'Scalped' (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. 13 February 2017 . 13 February 2017.
6. Web site: DC's 'Scalped' Comic Book Series Headed to TV. Screenrant. April 15, 2014. April 15, 2014.
7. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Scalped': Bilall Fallah & Adil El Arbi To Direct WGN America Pilot. Deadline. 10 February 2017 . 10 February 2017.
8. Web site: 'Scalped' TV Pilot To Film In April. Guglielmi. Luca. 2017-03-22. All The Stuff You Care About. 2017-03-22.
9. Web site: WGN Passes On SCALPED Television Series. newsarama. Arrant. Chris. November 29, 2017. September 26, 2018.