Female Basketball Drama in the Works at Ascendant Entertainment From Melanie Page, Kellie R. G

Posted by Martina Birk on Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Rob Friedman’s Ascendant Entertainment is developing a drama series about female high school basketball with former player Melanie Page and Kellie R. Griffin, Variety has earned exclusively.

The series is titled “On the Line.” The official description states it will follow “the on- and off-court stories of female high school basketball players.” Page is developing the series with Griffin, who will serve as showrunner. Alison Lani Genest, Ascendant’s vice president of development, is overseeing on behalf of the company. News of the series comes as women’s basketball has seen a rapid rise in popularity of late.

“As the proud father of four young women and a basketball dad myself, I know this is an arena full of captivating stories and co-viewing opportunities,” Friedman said. “Our focus is not on the coaches, but on the players — the young women and all the pressure and drama they face in their day-to-day lives, balancing schoolwork, gameplay, and relationships.”

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Page was a star player in Maryland who dreamed of playing in the WNBA before a series of injuries cut her career on the court short. She turned her attention to filmmaking and started out as a production assistant on projects for ESPN, eventually working her way up to producing “Spike Lee’s Lil’ Joints.” She has recently directed branded content for Microsoft’s WNBA partnerships and directed and produced a docuseries following rising basketball star Juju Watkins.

“I needed this story when I was younger, as I was going through the ranks as a basketball player,” said Page. “It is my deepest honor to create a reflection of what girls like me need to see. This series captures the dramatic, exciting world of girls basketball, where the stakes, both on and off the court, can make or break you.”

Griffin previously created and co-executive produced the BET series “Reed Between the Lines” starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Tracee Ellis Ross. Her other credits include “Crowded” at NBC and “Fuller House” at Netflix. She has also worked in children’s animation, including earning a Humanitas Prize nomination for the Netflix series “Karma’s World,” and has also worked on shows like “The Loud House” and “Rubble and Crew.”

“As the bonus mom of a very athletic, soon-to-be-15-year-old girl, I’m so excited to be a part of this project,” said Griffin. “In addition to shedding light on female ballers, this series will dive deep into those awkward yet growth-filled high school years, making it both healing and revealing for teens and their parents.”

Griffin is repped by Heroes and Villains Entertainment.

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