10 noteworthy TV dramas that never aired

I recently argued that television studios should make their unaired TV pilots available for viewing.
I’m particularly interested in dramas that were filmed but never released.
What follows is a list of some of them.

Wonder Woman (2011, NBC)

In 2011, NBC canceled plans to air “Wonder Woman,” starring Adrianne Palicki as the DC Comics superhero. The show, produced by David E. Kelley, reportedly had script problems and costume issues.
The unaired pilot was back in the news last month with the release of the big-screen movie “Wonder Woman 1984,” starring Gal Gadot as the title character. That’s because Pedro Pascal acted in both the failed pilot and “WW84.” Cary Elwes, Elizabeth Hurley and Tracie Thoms also acted in the unaired NBC show. (See article by Vulture for more details on the train wreck of a pilot.)

Marvel’s Most Wanted (2016, ABC)

Speaking of Adrianne Palicki, she’s been in several failed pilots. In addition to “Wonder Woman,” she was in a reboot of “Lost in Space” directed by John Woo and a pilot for “Aquaman” about the DC Comics superhero, both of which were not picked up as series.
She also starred in a pilot for an “Agents of SHIELD” spin-off called “Marvel’s Most Wanted.”  The show would have followed Bobbi Morse/Mockingbird (Palicki) and Lance Hunter (Nick Blood) after they were forced to leave SHIELD in season three. The pilot also starred Delroy Lindo. But ABC decided not to pick up the show.

Locke & Key (2011, Fox)

Before Netflix made a hit series out of “Locke & Key,” Fox tried to adapt horror author Joe Hill’s best-selling graphic novel. The pilot was directed by Mark Romanek, written by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, and produced by Steven Spielberg. Fox reportedly passed on the series due to its rising production cost.

Day One (2010, NBC)

In 2010, NBC scrapped a post-apocalyptic alien invasion series called “Day One” after filming the pilot. Alex Graves (“Fringe” and “Game of Thrones”) directed the pilot, which starred David Lyons, Julie Gonzalo, Carly Pope, Thekla Reuten and Xander Berkeley.

Hieroglyph (2014, Fox)

In 2014, Fox pulled the plug on an ambitious Ancient Egypt drama series called “Hieroglyph.” The show was described as a sexy historical-fantasy thriller. The pilot starred Max Brown, Reece Ritchie, Condola Rashad and John Rhys-Davies. The show was from creator/executive producer Travis Beacham (“Pacific Rim” and “Clash of the Titans.”)
According to the show’s official description, the drama followed a “notorious thief who is plucked from prison to serve the Pharaoh, forcing him to navigate palace intrigue, seductive concubines, criminal underbellies and divine sorcerers, as he races to stop the downfall of one of history’s greatest civilizations.”

Beverly Hills Cop (2013, CBS)

In 2013, CBS decided not to move ahead with a TV series based on the popular “Beverly Hills Cop” film series. Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men In Black”) directed the pilot, which featured a cameo appearance by Eddie Murphy as his character Axel Foley from the movies. The pilot starred Brandon T. Jackson as Foley’s detective son Aaron.

Da Brick (2011, HBO)

In 2011, HBO passed on a series called “Da Brick,” which was loosely based on boxing legend Mike Tyson’s youth. Acclaimed director Spike Lee helmed the pilot, which starred John Boyega (“Attack the Block” and “Star Wars”).

Midnight Sun (2012, NBC)

In 2012, NBC passed on “Midnight Sun,” a drama about an Alaskan cult being investigated by an FBI cult specialist. Brad Anderson (“Transsiberian”) directed the pilot, which starred Julia Stiles, Titus Welliver and David Harbour.

The Selection (2013, The CW)

The CW filmed two pilots based on the book “The Selection” by Kiera Cass. The story is set 300 years in the future and centers on a working-class young woman chosen by lottery to participate in a competition with 25 other women for the Royal Prince’s hand to become the nation’s next queen.
The first pilot in 2012 starred Aimee Teegarden and the second pilot in 2013 starred Yael Grobglas. The second pilot was considered vastly superior to the first but was still not picked up as a series.
Now Netflix is adapting the book for a series.

The Sixth Gun (2013, NBC)

In 2013, NBC ordered a pilot drama based on the best-selling supernatural graphic novel “The Sixth Gun.” The novel told the story of six mythical guns, each with its own other-worldly powers. The pilot starred Michiel Huisman, Laura Ramsey, Elena Satine and Pedro Pascal.