USA Network, the network of top female spy Annie Walker from Covert Affairs Season 2 dvd release, is developing a drama series about Kate Warne, U.S’ first female detective who also worked as a spy for the Union government during the Civil War.
The project, which will be written/co-executive produced by Adam Sussman and produced by Sony Pictures TV, is described as stylized with a contemporary feel. In 1856, Warne became America’s first female detective when she joined the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency. Along with Allan Pinkerton, Warne did work for the Union government. She was part of the Pinkerton team that uncovered a plot to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln, events that will be at the center of the pilot script. Pinkerton had received an unconfirmed tip about a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln on his way through Baltimore to Washington DC to take office. Warne went undercover as a rich southern lady visiting Baltimore to try to corroborate the information. She infiltrated secessionist social gatherings in the Baltimore area as a flirting “southern belle” and not only verified that there was a plot to assassinate Lincoln but also uncovered details about the plan and later played a key role in the covert operation to safely take Lincoln to DC. The project is executive produced by John Glenn, along with Deb Spera and Maria Grasso though their Sony TV-based One Two Punch Prods. Sussman is repped by ICM and manager Brian Lutz. Glenn and One Two Punch are repped by WME; Glenn is managed by Lutz.