FX Developing Limited Series Based on John Scalzi’s Sci-fi Novel ‘Redshirts’

FX has teamed up with producers Jon Shestack (“Dan in Real Life”), Ken Kwapis (“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”) and Alexandra Beattie to bring “Redshirts,” a comedic sci-fi novel published in 2012, to the small screen, Deadline reports.

The futuristic “Redshirts,” written by John Scalzi, follows a group of crew members aboard the Starship Intrepid who suddenly and mysteriously start dying.

At first unsure of the cause of these deaths, the crew realize that their situation mirrors that of a certain 21st century science fiction television show. Essentially, their lives — and deaths — are following a TV plot. Kwapis is set to direct the premiere episode with Shestack and Beattie executive producing.

Prior to “Redshirts,” Kwapis and Beattie were working on the Showtime comedy “Happyish,” put on hold following the death of Phillip Seymour Hoffman who was cast as the lead. FX has been investing in limited series lately — its upcoming “Fargo,” based on the Coen brothers’ movie, is a 10-episode series that, if renewed, will take an anthology approach with new characters and a new story. It premieres on April 15th.