The Oaks is an American supernatural drama television pilot, created by David Schulner for the Fox network's 2008/2009 season.[1] The addition to the Fox line-up was speculated to be a much-needed high-concept drama, purportedly to compete in ratings with ABC's Lost, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's Anatomy, and with CBS's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and its various spin-off shows. In spite of making an early blind series commitment, Fox did not pick up the drama for the 2008/2009 season. It was reportedly shopped to other networks, with a UK remake of the show, Marchlands, produced in 2010.
The Oaks follows the lives of three families, in different time periods, who all occupy the same house haunted by a restless spirit. The previous house owners also appear to their successors as ghosts.[2] Writer Schulner explains, "Each personal story, each small relationship story is tied to a larger ghost story. I can't tell the story of one family without telling the story of another family that lived there."[1]
Three families over the span of four decades, move into the same house, and they are all haunted by a restless spirit. The families are as follows:
1968 - A young couple who have just lost their child.
1988 - A family of four.
2008 - A young couple expecting a baby.
In 1968, estranged couple Sarah and Mike harbor deep feelings of resentment and sorrow, aimed at each other after the death of their young daughter Amelia. In 1988, sexually frustrated husband and wife Frank and Molly raise their two children, Lucy and Brian. In 2008, the power couple of pregnant Hollis and her emasculated husband Dan move into the same house as the other families and during renovation, are quick to find something that sheds light on the house's secrets. It is revealed in the pilot, titled Amelia, that "several characters have unexpected connections to the past in some very novel ways".[3]
Characters
The following has been revealed about the characters:[4][5][6][7]
Mike (played by Matt Lanter) is a part of the 1968 couple. He is Sarah's husband who is "strong but silent," works at his father's company and seems at first to be under his father's thumb. He has become reticent and distant since the loss of his and Sarah's young daughter Amelia within the last year. The death has somewhat made the two lose their will to continue as a family, and when Mike attempts to reconnect with Sarah, "all he can see is Amelia."[8]
Sarah (played by Shannon Lucio) is a part of the 1968 couple. "Quietly devastated," she is Mike's wife who has also become increasingly full of sorrow since the death of their child. Sarah seeks counseling from their Priest, but it does little to help as she often believes she can feel Amelia's presence or hear her voice.[8]
Molly (played by Romy Rosemont) is the mother in the 1988 family. Molly is a mother of two who is struggling to keep her marriage alive.
Frank (played by Michael Rispoli) is a part of the 1988 family. Frank is husband to Molly and father to Brian and Lucy.
Brian (played by Kyle Kaplan) is a part of the 1988 family. Brian is brother to Lucy and son to Molly and Frank.
Lucy (played by Mackenzie Milone) is a part of the 1988 family. Lucy is sister to Brian and daughter to Molly and Frank.
Hollis (played by Bahar Soomekh) is a pregnant woman in the 2008 couple. She is a type A personality who speaks several languages, and is a highly educated, BlackBerry-obsessed, and capable executive. A power couple with her emasculated husband Dan, whom she is very in love with, she is carrying their first child as well.[8]
Dan (played by Jeremy Renner) is a part of the 2008 couple, Hollis' husband and an expectant father. Dan and Hollis cannot agree on whether to have their baby tested for disabilities, a point that seems to be brought further to light when they meet their neighbor Jessica, a developmentally disabled woman who seems to have a history with Dan.[8]
Jessica (played by Sienna Guillory) is the 2008 couple's next-door neighbor. Jessica, who has Asperger syndrome, attended school with the father-to-be and shares a secret with him.[9]
Young Jessica (played by Johanna E. Braddy) is the 2008 character during the year 1988.
Young Dan (played by Soren Fulton) is the 2008 character during the year 1988.
Helen (played by Alexandra Lydon) is a friend of Sarah and Mike, the 1968 couple.
Jim (played by Matthew Morrison) is a friend of Sarah and Mike, the 1968 couple.
Production
Development
David Schulner wrote the script and was inspired when moving into a new house himself, thinking about those who had lived there previously. In 2007, after a heated bidding war between Fox, ABC and CBS for Schulner's concept for The Oaks, it was eventually narrowed down to CBS and Fox, with Fox ultimately taking the show for their line up in August, 2007.
Shawn Ryan, Gina Matthews, Grant Scharbo and with Michael Cuesta produced The Oaks. Cuesta directed the pilot titled Amelia.[10] Production on the series officially began on November 5, 2007 with the filming of the pilot episode. "Amelia" was filmed on location in South Pasadena, California, however, Schuler and Ryan participated in the 2007-08 Writers Guild of America strike that began that day at 12:01 A.M., causing the two to be absent on set for filming.[11] On November 12, it was announced that the 1988 portion of the series would make tonal changes to become more comedic, along with other cast changes to accommodate. However, the changes to The Oaks casting and tone was approved by Schulner and Ryan.[12] Filming on the pilot was completed in late November.[13]
Casting
Linda Lowy and John Brace cast the pilot in Los Angeles. In September 2007, Bahar Soomekh as Hollis, Matt Lanter as Mike and Shannon Lucio as Sarah, were officially cast. October saw the addition of British actresses Gina McKee as Molly and Sienna Guillory as Jessica, and the actor Jeremy Renner as Dan. In November when filming began, Gina Mckee was replaced by actress Romy Rosemont to better accommodate the more comedic and blue collar direction taken for the 1988 family and for the character Molly. The addition of Michael Rispoli as Frank was also announced. Because Schulner and Ryan were absent due to the writers' strike, casting of Rispoli and Rosement was overseen by nonwriting executive producer Gina Matthews.[12]
International versions
A UK-based remake of The Oaks, entitled Marchlands began airing on ITV1 on 3 February 2011.[14] The UK version stars Alex Kingston. A second series called Lightfields began on ITV1 on 27 February 2013. Featuring different families at a new house, the titular 'Lightfields', across the 1940s, 1970s and present.
A France-based remake of The Oaks, entitled Le Secret d'Élise [fr], began airing on the Switzerland channel RTS Un on 19 September 2015, on the Belgium channel La Une on 22 September 2015 and on the French channel TF1 on 8 February 2016. It stars Bénabar, Hélène de Fougerolles and Bruno Salomone.
References
^ abAndreeva, Nellie. . hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
^"Fox Wins the Battle for Oaks". tvsquad.com. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
^"Televisionary Exclusive: First Look at FOX's "The Oaks" Script". televisionary.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
^"Oaks, The (Fox)". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
^. scifi.com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-22. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
^"Fox Plants Roots with The Oaks". film.com. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
oaks, pilot, oaks, american, supernatural, drama, television, pilot, created, david, schulner, network, 2008, 2009, season, addition, line, speculated, much, needed, high, concept, drama, purportedly, compete, ratings, with, lost, desperate, housewives, grey, . The Oaks is an American supernatural drama television pilot created by David Schulner for the Fox network s 2008 2009 season 1 The addition to the Fox line up was speculated to be a much needed high concept drama purportedly to compete in ratings with ABC s Lost Desperate Housewives and Grey s Anatomy and with CBS s CSI Crime Scene Investigation and its various spin off shows In spite of making an early blind series commitment Fox did not pick up the drama for the 2008 2009 season It was reportedly shopped to other networks with a UK remake of the show Marchlands produced in 2010 The OaksCreated byDavid SchulnerStarringSienna GuilloryMatt LanterShannon LucioMatthew MorrisonRomy RosemontMichael RispoliJeremy RennerBahar SoomekhKyle KaplanMackenzie MiloneCountry of originUnited States Contents 1 Overview 2 Characters 3 Production 3 1 Development 3 2 Casting 4 International versions 5 References 6 External linksOverview EditThe Oaks follows the lives of three families in different time periods who all occupy the same house haunted by a restless spirit The previous house owners also appear to their successors as ghosts 2 Writer Schulner explains Each personal story each small relationship story is tied to a larger ghost story I can t tell the story of one family without telling the story of another family that lived there 1 Three families over the span of four decades move into the same house and they are all haunted by a restless spirit The families are as follows 1968 A young couple who have just lost their child 1988 A family of four 2008 A young couple expecting a baby In 1968 estranged couple Sarah and Mike harbor deep feelings of resentment and sorrow aimed at each other after the death of their young daughter Amelia In 1988 sexually frustrated husband and wife Frank and Molly raise their two children Lucy and Brian In 2008 the power couple of pregnant Hollis and her emasculated husband Dan move into the same house as the other families and during renovation are quick to find something that sheds light on the house s secrets It is revealed in the pilot titled Amelia that several characters have unexpected connections to the past in some very novel ways 3 Characters EditThe following has been revealed about the characters 4 5 6 7 Mike played by Matt Lanter is a part of the 1968 couple He is Sarah s husband who is strong but silent works at his father s company and seems at first to be under his father s thumb He has become reticent and distant since the loss of his and Sarah s young daughter Amelia within the last year The death has somewhat made the two lose their will to continue as a family and when Mike attempts to reconnect with Sarah all he can see is Amelia 8 Sarah played by Shannon Lucio is a part of the 1968 couple Quietly devastated she is Mike s wife who has also become increasingly full of sorrow since the death of their child Sarah seeks counseling from their Priest but it does little to help as she often believes she can feel Amelia s presence or hear her voice 8 Molly played by Romy Rosemont is the mother in the 1988 family Molly is a mother of two who is struggling to keep her marriage alive Frank played by Michael Rispoli is a part of the 1988 family Frank is husband to Molly and father to Brian and Lucy Brian played by Kyle Kaplan is a part of the 1988 family Brian is brother to Lucy and son to Molly and Frank Lucy played by Mackenzie Milone is a part of the 1988 family Lucy is sister to Brian and daughter to Molly and Frank Hollis played by Bahar Soomekh is a pregnant woman in the 2008 couple She is a type A personality who speaks several languages and is a highly educated BlackBerry obsessed and capable executive A power couple with her emasculated husband Dan whom she is very in love with she is carrying their first child as well 8 Dan played by Jeremy Renner is a part of the 2008 couple Hollis husband and an expectant father Dan and Hollis cannot agree on whether to have their baby tested for disabilities a point that seems to be brought further to light when they meet their neighbor Jessica a developmentally disabled woman who seems to have a history with Dan 8 Jessica played by Sienna Guillory is the 2008 couple s next door neighbor Jessica who has Asperger syndrome attended school with the father to be and shares a secret with him 9 Young Jessica played by Johanna E Braddy is the 2008 character during the year 1988 Young Dan played by Soren Fulton is the 2008 character during the year 1988 Helen played by Alexandra Lydon is a friend of Sarah and Mike the 1968 couple Jim played by Matthew Morrison is a friend of Sarah and Mike the 1968 couple Production EditDevelopment Edit David Schulner wrote the script and was inspired when moving into a new house himself thinking about those who had lived there previously In 2007 after a heated bidding war between Fox ABC and CBS for Schulner s concept for The Oaks it was eventually narrowed down to CBS and Fox with Fox ultimately taking the show for their line up in August 2007 Shawn Ryan Gina Matthews Grant Scharbo and with Michael Cuesta produced The Oaks Cuesta directed the pilot titled Amelia 10 Production on the series officially began on November 5 2007 with the filming of the pilot episode Amelia was filmed on location in South Pasadena California however Schuler and Ryan participated in the 2007 08 Writers Guild of America strike that began that day at 12 01 A M causing the two to be absent on set for filming 11 On November 12 it was announced that the 1988 portion of the series would make tonal changes to become more comedic along with other cast changes to accommodate However the changes to The Oaks casting and tone was approved by Schulner and Ryan 12 Filming on the pilot was completed in late November 13 Casting Edit Linda Lowy and John Brace cast the pilot in Los Angeles In September 2007 Bahar Soomekh as Hollis Matt Lanter as Mike and Shannon Lucio as Sarah were officially cast October saw the addition of British actresses Gina McKee as Molly and Sienna Guillory as Jessica and the actor Jeremy Renner as Dan In November when filming began Gina Mckee was replaced by actress Romy Rosemont to better accommodate the more comedic and blue collar direction taken for the 1988 family and for the character Molly The addition of Michael Rispoli as Frank was also announced Because Schulner and Ryan were absent due to the writers strike casting of Rispoli and Rosement was overseen by nonwriting executive producer Gina Matthews 12 International versions EditA UK based remake of The Oaks entitled Marchlands began airing on ITV1 on 3 February 2011 14 The UK version stars Alex Kingston A second series called Lightfields began on ITV1 on 27 February 2013 Featuring different families at a new house the titular Lightfields across the 1940s 1970s and present A France based remake of The Oaks entitled Le Secret d Elise fr began airing on the Switzerland channel RTS Un on 19 September 2015 on the Belgium channel La Une on 22 September 2015 and on the French channel TF1 on 8 February 2016 It stars Benabar Helene de Fougerolles and Bruno Salomone References Edit a b Andreeva Nellie Reilly books high concept drama Oaks hollywoodreporter com Archived from the original on October 12 2008 Retrieved 2007 09 30 Fox Wins the Battle for Oaks tvsquad com Retrieved 2007 09 30 Televisionary Exclusive First Look at FOX s The Oaks Script televisionary blogspot com Retrieved 2007 10 04 Oaks The Fox thefutoncritic com Retrieved 2007 10 04 The Oaks Cast Branches Out scifi com Archived from the original on 2007 12 22 Retrieved 2007 09 30 Fox Plants Roots with The Oaks film com Retrieved 2007 10 04 Andreeva Nellie 2007 10 24 Renner leafs through Fox s Oaks thehollywoodreporter com Retrieved 2007 11 09 dead link a b c d THE OAKS FOX thefutoncritic com 2007 09 14 Retrieved 2007 11 25 Andreeva Nellie Fox plants pair of Brits in Oaks cast hollywoodreporter com Archived from the original on 2007 10 11 Retrieved 2007 09 29 Rich Katey Reilly Picks Up The Oaks For Fox cinemablend com Retrieved 2007 10 04 Andreeva Nellie 2007 11 12 Strike rewrites rules jams up showrunners hollywoodreporter com Retrieved 2007 11 11 dead link a b Andreeva Nellie 2007 11 12 Pair travel to 88 for Fox s Oaks hollywoodreporter com Retrieved 2007 11 14 dead link Andreeva Nellie 2008 02 07 New map to pilot season hollywoodreporter com Retrieved 2008 02 07 dead link Alex Kingston Cast in ITV s New Supernatural Drama The Oaks scifind co uk Retrieved 2010 07 22 External links EditThe Oaks at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Oaks TV pilot amp oldid 1080561872, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
