[nelll]

Fox adapts Australian 'Informant'

Based on an upcoming series created by Greg Haddrick

By Nellie Andreeva

Another format from Down Under is making its way to American television.

Fox is developing "The Informant," a one-hour project based on an upcoming Australian series created by Greg Haddrick. Tom Szentgyorgyicq is adapting the format for Fox, 20th TV and Alchemy TV.

He describes "Informant" as "Jason Bourne at home." It centers on Richard Button, a regular middle-class suburban dad who works as a police informant for an elite federal investigative agency. "It's a blend of a spy undercover procedural and a family story about his life at home," Szentgyorgyi said.

Button's background is a mystery, but his detailed knowledge of international crime networks and money laundering suggests that he might have been involved in espionage.

"The intelligence officers are working with him but also investigating him," said Burrad Marsh, head of TV series development at Alchemy, which recently brokered a deal for ABC to share CBC's comedy pilot "18 to Life."

Two upcoming comedies, NBC's "Kath & Kim" and Fox's "Sit Down, Shut Up" also are based on Australian formats.

"Informant" was packaged by Endeavor.