National Geographic Channel Joins Forces With Ridley and Tony Scott To Produce Author Bill O'Reilly's Best-Selling Book 'Killing Lincoln'; Just Announced: Mike Rowe Joins Project

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Geographic Channel President Howard T. Owens announced today that the network has partnered with Tony and Ridley Scott to produce the two-hour documentary of Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever, Bill O'Reilly's New York Times best-selling book with co-author Martin Dugard. Media personality Mike Rowe is also on board to be part of the project.

"National Geographic has a great legacy of telling some of history's most riveting stories," said author Bill O'Reilly, who will also serve as an executive producer on the documentary.  "The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln is no exception, as it continues to be one of the most significant, life-changing events in America's young history.  Ridley and Tony Scott are incredible directors, producers and amazing storytellers with the ability to bring this story to life in a way no one else can."

The two-hour special event will capture the riveting narrative style and intimate detail used by O'Reilly in the book, which has reinvigorated the story of Lincoln, engrossing readers around the world.  Production on the historical thriller will begin this spring, combining rare historical archives, emotionally engaging storytelling and feature-film quality re-enactments with CGI in the signature style of the Scott brothers.  The special will premiere in early 2013 globally on the National Geographic Channel.

"National Geographic Channel is the perfect partner for us to bring Bill O'Reilly's dynamic 'Killing Lincoln' to the screen.  We are excited to share with audiences this epic and thrilling story surrounding Lincoln's assassination, one of the most notorious crimes in American history," said Ridley Scott.

Said Rowe, "As a closet history buff for most of my life, this is what you might call a 'dream project.'  It's an honor to participate, and I'm grateful to National Geographic and the Scott brothers for the opportunity."  Additional details about his participation will be announced at a later date.

"There is so much to this story that Bill O'Reilly captures in his book that I know will captivate our audience," said Owens.  "Using contemporary storytelling methods that are the hallmark of what the Scott brothers are known for will transform this popular best-seller into a global television event for our network."

About Killing Lincoln:
Killing Lincoln is the first work of history from best-selling author and television news anchor Bill O'Reilly.  The narrative recounts one of the most dramatic stories in American history — how one gunshot changed the country forever.  In the spring of 1865, the bloody saga of America's Civil War finally comes to an end after a series of increasingly harrowing battles.  President Abraham Lincoln's generous terms for Robert E. Lee's surrender are devised to fulfill Lincoln's dream of healing a divided nation, with the former Confederates allowed to reintegrate into American society.  But one man and his band of murderous accomplices, perhaps reaching into the highest ranks of the U.S. government, are not appeased.  In the midst of the patriotic celebrations in Washington, D.C., John Wilkes Booth — charismatic ladies' man and impenitent racist — murders Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre.  A furious manhunt ensues and Booth immediately becomes the country's most wanted fugitive.  Lafayette C. Baker, a smart but shifty New York detective and former Union spy, unravels the string of clues leading to Booth, while federal forces track his accomplices.  The thrilling chase ends in a fiery shoot-out and a series of court-ordered executions — including that of the first woman ever executed by the U.S. government, Mary Surratt.

About Bill O'Reilly:
Bill O'Reilly is the anchor of "The O'Reilly Factor," the highest-rated cable news show in the country.  He also writes a syndicated newspaper column and is the author of several number-one best-selling books.  He is perhaps the most talked-about political commentator in America.

About Scott Free Productions:
Scott Free Productions was formed in 1995 and is the film and television production vehicle of acclaimed film directors, brothers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott.  For CBS, Scott Free Television produces the Emmy® and Golden Globe®-nominated, Peabody-acclaimed drama "The Good Wife," which is now in its third year.  Up next this year is an eight-hour adaptation of "World Without End," Ken Follett's international best-seller, featuring Cynthia Nixon, Ben Chaplin and Miranda Richardson, as well as "Coma," a four-hour adaptation of the Robin Cook novel, starring Geena Davis, James Woods, Richard Dreyfuss and Ellen Burstyn, set to air Memorial Day 2012 on A&E.  Scott Free also produced the Emmy® and Golden Globe®-nominated miniseries "The Pillars of the Earth" for Starz, and the hit CBS show "Numb3rs," which ran for six seasons.

Current pilot development includes "The Drivers," based on the 24-hour Le Mans motor races of the '50s and '60s, being penned by Michael Hirst ("The Tudors"), an adaptation of Philip K. Dick's "The Man in the High Castle" in the works for the BBC by Howard Brenton ("Spooks") and an action/adventure for FX from Oscar-winning writer Robert Towne ("Chinatown"). 

In the nonfiction arena, the documentary special "Gettysburg," produced for the History Channel, took home the Emmy last year; while a new series, "Prophets of Science Fiction," hosted by Ridley Scott, is currently airing on Discovery: Science.

With offices in Los Angeles and London, Scott Free works closely with RSA Films, one of the world's largest and most successful commercial production houses.

National Geographic Channel:
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Cable Networks.  The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission.  Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD.  In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, Spanish language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled.  The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in over 78 million U.S. homes.  Globally, National Geographic Channels International is available in more than 380 million homes in 163 countries and 37 languages.  For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com.

SOURCE National Geographic Channel