USA has given its first series pickup for its existing pilot slate, with a 10-episode order for drama Mr. Robot. The series will shoot in New York and will premiere sometime in 2015.
Mr. Robot is created by Sam Esmail, who executive produces with Steve Golin and Chad Hamilton. Universal Cable Productions and Anonymous Content will produce. The cast includes Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Portia Doubleday, Carly Chaikin and Martin Wallstrom. The pilot was directed by Niels Arden Oplev.
Mr. Robot is a contemporary drama about a young programmer, Elliot (Malek), who suffers from a debilitating anti-social disorder and decides that he can only connect to people by hacking them. He wields his skills as a weapon to protect the people that he cares about. Elliot will find himself in the intersection between a cyber-security firm he works for and the underworld organizations that are recruiting him to bring down corporate America. Slater stars in the title role of Mr. Robot, a mysterious anarchist who recruits Elliot into an underground hacker group.
"Mr. Robot could not be more timely and relevant," said Chris McCumber, President of USA Network. "The creative team behind this series has done a brilliant job, taking viewers on a wide ride that leaves them wanting more. Rami gives a masterful performance as a hacker and unlikely hero, alongside Christian, who is perfectly cast as Mr. Robot."
"Sam's vision for Mr. Robot is terrific and transgressive, and Niels has given the show a breathtakingly original look," said Jeff Wachtel, President and Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.
