From "Deadwood" to Driftwood: HBO Orders Milch's "John From Cincinnati"

Those of you saddened by the end of Deadwood (save those two-hour movies that are supposed to wrap things up at some point in the future), look no further. HBO has gotten in bed with Deadwood creator David Milch for what Variety is calling a "surf noir family drama" set in Southern California.

HBO has ordered 12 episodes of Milch's latest drama John From Cincinnati, which will revolve around the seriously screwed up Yost family of Imperial Beach. Dad is a former surfing star, Mom is definitely dispirited, and their son is addicted to drugs. Enter John (um, from Cincinnati) who shows up at the Yosts looking for surfing lessons (rather mysteriously no less) as well as a guy who is looking for revenge against the Yosts for a personal vendetta. Hmmmm, is it a coincidence that the two men show up at the same time?

John From Cincinnati, which begins production next month, stars Austin Nichols, Bruce Greenwood, Rebecca De Mornay, Brian Van Holt, Matt Winston, Greyson Fletcher, Luis Guzman, and Ed O'Neill. (Talk about a great cast.) Series is expected to launch next summer.

As for Deadwood, HBO still plans to wrap up the foul-mouthed Western drama with two made-for-television movies. Negotiations are underway with the regulars from the original cast of Deadwood, but it's still not clear who would return for these telepics, though Ian McShane would most likely return. Milch has reportedly begun writing the script for the first telepic and hopes to have it produced in time to air next summer... which would make next summer the Season of Milch over at HBO.

Even those you-know-whats back in Deadwood would have to be happy about that.