Former One Direction member Zayn Malik has decided to collaborate with TV producer Dick Wolf for a new drama series, ‘Boys,’ on NBC.
The upcoming drama draws attention to some of Malik’s actual experiences as it follows the story of a widely popular and successful boy band. While the series highlights the fun and excitement that goes with fame, it also offers a look at the pressure and struggles of making it in the real world.
NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke issued an official statement about bringing the new series into life with Malik working as one of the producers.
“It’s exciting to be diving into this project with such passionate and prolific producers,” Salke stated. “Zayn certainly brings an authentic point of view to this world where kids are catapulted into fame at a dizzying speed. On top of our excitement around the creative ideas being discussed, we have a lot of respect for the musical and digital ambitions behind the project.”
Noelle Wolf, Dick’s wife, brought the project to NBC along with Amanda Ghost from Unigram and First Access Entertainment’s Sarah Stennett, among others.
“We were intrigued by the synergistic potential that Zayn brings to the project,” said Wolf, who is married to Dick Wolf. “Boys will be a show that’s totally integrated on broadcast and digital platforms. Casting and original music will be major components, giving the show promotional potential on multiple levels.”
Both Dick and Noelle will work as executive producers alongside Malik, Ghost, Peter Jankowski, Sherri Cooper Landsman and Jennifer Levin.
As a two-time Emmy winner, Dick currently works as producer for five drama shows on NBC and Uni TV, including ‘Law & Order: SVU,’ ‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Chicago P.D.,’ ‘Chicago Med’ and ‘Chicago Justice.’
“Dick Wolf is a legend,” Malik acknowledged, “and the opportunity to work with him and NBC to create a compelling drama series is awesome.”
Meanwhile, reality TV judge Simon Cowell spoke to ET and made it clear that he preferred to have been asked first about the project.
"I think he should have come to me with it," Malik’s former label boss said in an interview with ET at a live taping of ‘America's Got Talent.’
"Nothing surprises me anymore," Cowell added.
The 56-year-old judge formed One Direction on ‘The X Factor UK’, whereas all five of the band’s hit albums were released under his Syco Records label.
"I do actually believe that when they've got these ideas, bearing in mind where we started, they should actually come to me," Cowell said.
Malik gained fame after joining the British ‘X-Factor’ in which he went as a solo artist for an audition. After getting eliminated, the Bradford native went back to the show to form One Direction, known as the most successful act that came out from ‘The X-Factor.’
After he left the boy band in 2015, Malik went on to pursue his plan of becoming a solo artist, coming up with his ‘Mind of Mine’ album and transitioning into the first male solo artist in the U.K. to debut at the top of the album charts both in the U.K. and the U.S.
