ABC in Development on 'The Undertaker' Procedural from Garza and Culpepper
ABC is developing a police procedural titled 'The Undertaker', based on the Swiss series 'Der Bestatter'. The show follows a former detective who runs his family's funeral home and investigates deaths that come through. Gabriel Garza writes, with Hanelle Culpepper directing, from 20th Television and Elevate Entertainment.
The project pairs Gabriel Garza, known for work on genre series like The Winchesters and The Flash, with director Hanelle Culpepper, whose recent credits include Paradise and Star Trek: Picard. Both are attached through 20th Television and Elevate Entertainment, marking a significant collaboration between established television entities.
The source material, Der Bestatter, was created by Hartmut Block and enjoyed a lengthy run of seven seasons on Swiss broadcaster Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. The American adaptation centers on Luke Conrad, whose dual role as funeral home operator and former detective provides the procedural engine for each episode's mystery.
This adaptation could resonate with audiences seeking character-driven crime stories that blend personal stakes with weekly cases. The funeral home setting may offer a fresh visual and emotional backdrop compared to standard precinct dramas, potentially attracting viewers interested in mortality-themed storytelling. It could also reflect the continued industry trend of adapting successful international formats for U.S. audiences, though its impact will depend on execution and network scheduling.