Halle Berry producing History miniseries

The scripted series, which will be one of the most significant scripted orders by a US cable network from a UK producer, is a period drama following the life of Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca, who ruled in 264 BC.

The miniseries will begin with Barca’s birth in North Africa and follow the Second Punic War he fought with Rome. It will also highlight his battle with rival Scipio Africanus.

Hannibal (working title) was developed by Red Arrow Entertainment and will be exec produced by the London firm’s head of scripted Simon Maxwell along with Halle Berry and Goldeneye writer Jeffrey Caine.

It will be produced in association with A+E Studios, the production house recently launched by History channel owner A+E and will be exec produced by Steven Jensen, Vincent Cirrincione and History’s Dirk Hoogstra, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Julian Hobbs.

“Hannibal was not only the greatest African general to ever live,” said Berry. “He may have been the greatest general, period. His story is an intricate and captivating ride and I’m thrilled to get this project off the ground with our partners at History.”

Berry has begun a move into TV and has been cast in Steven Spielberg’s forthcoming CBS drama Extant.

Maxwell added: “Hannibal Barca lived a life so legendary that it echoes through the ages and continues to have resonance in modern times.  

“We’re thrilled to be working with a writer of Jeffrey Caine’s calibre and to be collaborating with Halle Berry on what has become a real passion project for all of us. Bringing Hannibal’s epic story to life presents an exciting challenge – on a truly international scale – and we could not have found a better partner for the project than the History Channel.”