TLC, a network primarily known for its reality television series like "19 Kids and Counting," "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" and "Sister Wives" is getting into the scripted series game courtesy of Tyler Perry. The network announced on Thursday during the Discovery Communications upfront presentation in New York City that it has greenlit "Too Close To Home," a series written, directed and executively produced by Perry.
The eight-episode drama series will debut later this year and tells the story of a "young woman who escaped her working class upbringing to discover unparalleled success in the fast-paced D.C. political circuit, only to find herself at the center of a scandal," according to the synopsis of the show. "After a steamy affair with a married senator makes national headlines, she is forced to return back to her trailer park beginnings, where her past, and everyone in it, resurfaces to complicate everything. The cast and official premiere date will be announced later this year."
TLC is pushing more scripted shows, but is also trying to get back into home and property programming. The network announced at the upfront that it ordered three new unscripted shows that fit this genre, including one with TV personality Nate Berkus, who used to work with Oprah Winfrey, called "Married to Design: Nate & Jeremiah." They also ordered shows titled "Project Playhouse" and "Hidden Money Makeover," both of which are currently working titles.
"At TLC, we want to give our viewers more of what they love, and more of what we do best - we tell stories of big, fascinating characters and we tell them without judgment," Nancy Daniels, president of TLC and Discovery Life, said. "This year we're also making a big move into the scripted space with Tyler Perry and bringing back our beloved property programming with big names like Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent. We're beyond excited to introduce our audience to new content and refresh a genre that TLC dominated for years."
While there were tons of new shows announced during TLC's upfront, the network also renewed its biggest reality hit shows including "Sister Wives," "My Big Fat Fabulous Life," "The Little Couple," "Long Island Medium," "90-Day Fiance" and spin-off "90-Day Fiance: After the 90 Days" and "Say Yes to the Dress," which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of being on TV.
In addition to the renewal of many popular unscripted series focused on relationships, the network ordered additional new series titled "OutDaughtered," "Meet The Putmans," "Sweet 15: Quinceañera" and "Ink Ink Shop."
