The CW is developing a new one-hour female gladiator drama series based off of author Lesley Livingston’s novel The Valiant. The series will be written and executive produced by Laurie Arent and Mary Beth Basile with Warner Bros. Television. Arent is known for writing and producing for NCIS: New Orleans, Life and The Client List, while Basile was an associate producer for October Road and executive produced the pilot Evil Men.

Livingston's novel follows Fallon, the daughter of a Celtic king and the younger sister of a legendary fighter -- who was killed by the armies of Julius Caesar. Before Fallon can join her father's war band, she is captured and sold to an elite training school for female gladiators who fight in the arena for fame and fortune that happens to be owned by Caesar himself. Things get complicated though when she develops feelings for Cai -- a young Roman soldier and her sworn enemy. The novel was published earlier this year and has so far recieved positive feedback from fans and critics alike for its excitement, brutality, and romance.

While there's no word whether the TV series will be follow the plot of the book or just take inspiration from it, Variety has published a brief description of the developing series:

Livingston The Valiant

"The series would follow a Celtic princess on the run from an arranged marriage and a sheltered life who is captured and forced into slavery under Julius Caesar. She ends up training among the first wave of female Gladiators to compete in the Colosseum for fame, fortune and, ultimately, her freedom."

If the pilot is picked up by The CW it will fit right at home with the channel's other strong female-led series, like the recently concluded Reign, Supergirl, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, iZombie, and the upcoming drama Dynasty. It will also be interesting to see how The CW tackles another historical-based TV drama, while the period series Reign where Adelaide Kane's portrayed the young Mary Stuart was an overall success for the network, it was always overshadowed by their supernatural series like The Vampire Diaries, The Originals  and Supernatural, not to mention the network's superhero series like Arrow and The Flash.

If the series does preform well though, it may well prove to be a hit with fans who thought Reign ended too soon and who enjoy the other female-led series on The CW.

Next: 11 Things You Didn’t Know About Spartacus (on Starz)

Screen Rant will keep you updated on all news about The Valiant adaptation.

Source: Variety