National Geographic Greenlights Scripted Series 'Act of Valor'

Even National Geographic Channel is getting into the ongoing scripted series game. NatGeo has teamed with Relativity, the production company behind the 2012 feature 'Act of Valor,' to adapt that successful film into an ongoing scripted series. The project marks Relativity's first foray into scripted television, as well. Welcome to the party, fellows. 

The 2012 feature was a fictional story about a team of U.S. Navy SEALs who attempt to exfiltrate a CIA operative from within a terrorist organization. The film opened to mixed reviews, however it became a financial success for Relativity. Given the wild success of the 'Call of Duty' franchise of video games, it seems that there is an ever-present paying market for stories of American military heroism; the series version of 'Act of Valor' should do just fine for Relativity, as well. 

'Act of Valor' the series should begin production in early 2014. Written by Erik Jendresen ('Band of Brothers'), the show will focus on pararescuemen, also known as PJs, who are the unsung heroes tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments.

While this is National Geographic Channel's first scripted ongoing, they have tested the fictional waters before: the special event 'SEAL Team Six' was fictional, based in fact, and became the highest rated program of 2012 for the network. This was followed by the scripted miniseries 'Killing Lincoln,' which did terrific numbers in 2013. 'Killing Lincoln' was such a success that it has spawned its own 'Killing' franchise, with 'Killing Kennedy' debuting on Nov. 10 and 'Killing Jesus' in development. It sounds like a joke, but it's all too real. 

What do you think? Does 'Act of Valor' have enough to carry an ongoing series?