Will Crusoe succeed on network TV?

Iam asking this question because Crusoe is a period piece. An epic. And those kinds usually air as specials or on cable, not as a regular series. Will it have a hard time gaining an audience?

Crusoe is an adaptation of Daniel Defoe's classic novel, Robinson Crusoe. You do remember this story in high school, don't you? Guy stuck in an undiscovered island for nearly 30 years?

Wikipedia calls it:

Equal parts MacGyver, Castaway and Pirates of the Caribbean, this series is an inspirational tale of survival rife with action and comedy.

The series looks spectacular though. And why wouldn't it? Seems budget was no concern for this. Crusoe was shot in the UK, South Africa and Seychelles.


The series premiere is October 17th.

Pilot Watch: Crusoe

Of the recent pilot news I've been getting lately, this is what I'm gonna be anticipating big time, as I am a bit familiar with the story (high school book report from decades ago pays off haha!):

Watch out, "Lost" and "Survivor": NBC is bringing the original desert island castaway to primetime.

NBC has picked up "Robinson Crusoe," a drama series based on Daniel Defoe's classic novel, with a 13-episode order.

"Crusoe" reportedly came out of an unorthodox brainstorming idea of NBC's new chief Ben Silverman, who had asked his development team to generate a list of the most engaging stories ever told -- everything from "The Last of the Mohicans" to "Sleeping Beauty." "Crusoe" was at the top of that list. Also high on it and under serious consideration at the network are the tales of David and Goliath and of Jekyll and Hyde, sources said.

[snipped]

"Crusoe" will be an "adrenaline-charged version" of the 1719 novel with a contemporary feel and voice, including a 21st century take on race relations, but it will be a period drama, taking place in the 17th century when the book is set.

"It's part 'MacGyver,' part contemporary morality tale about race and personal discovery, part comedy and part 'Castaway' meets 'Survivor,' " Silverman said.

Via