CBS Gives Drama Pilot Order to Detective Drama ‘Einstein,’ From ‘Monk’ Creator

As a seasoned film enthusiast with a penchant for intellectual dramas and a soft spot for the enigmatic geniuses that populate our screens, I must confess my excitement at the prospect of CBS‘s “Einstein.” Having followed the tumultuous journey of this project from its inception, I find it intriguing to see it finally gain traction. The fusion of science and crime-solving is a formula that has worked well in the past, and I am eager to witness how Andy Breckman’s unique touch will breathe new life into this concept.


CBS has commissioned a pilot for “Einstein,” a new series created by Andy Breckman, known for producing “Monk.” Inspired by a German format, the show focuses on the character of Albert Einstein’s great-grandson, who is portrayed as intellectually gifted but lacking direction. This protagonist, a tenured professor, often finds himself in legal trouble. As a form of restitution, he assists a local police detective in resolving her cases.

Breckman serves as both writer and executive producer for the project, with Randy Zisk taking on the roles of director and executive producer. The series, produced by CBS Studios, will also have Tariq Jalil, Rose Hughes, Rodrigo Herrera Ibarguengoytia, and Laura Beetz serving as executive producers through Seven One Studios International.

The “Einstein” series initially debuted as a TV movie in 2015, featuring Tom Beck (“Alarm for Cobra 11”). This production was penned by Martin Ritzenhoff and Matthias Dinter. Later, they developed it into a full-fledged series under Zeitsprung Pictures. The show spanned across three seasons and reached more than 100 territories worldwide.

For several years, an adaptation inspired by Einstein’s life has been under consideration, with various attempts made to bring it to life on different networks. In 2018, Michael Reisz and Carol Mendelsohn gave it a shot at NBC, followed by Breckman and Zisk’s version for CBS in 2019, but neither of these versions came to fruition. Eye net made another attempt with a gender-swapped take on the story in 2020, created by Lauren Gussis and Corinne Brinkerhoff, but unfortunately, this version also didn’t progress.

In this revised version, we have a German television series centered around the character of Felix, a brilliant theoretical physicist who holds the record as the youngest professor at his university. Despite his prodigious intellect, Felix confronts life’s hardships: he suffers from hereditary Huntington’s disease and faces imprisonment due to accusations of stealing illicit stimulants for managing his condition. However, a stroke of luck occurs when the police recognize that his genius could aid them in solving their most intricate cases, leading to his recruitment as a police consultant. Felix teams up with Elena, a sharp and resourceful detective, and together they delve into the investigation of a multifaceted bank robbery that surfaces following the murder of a dog walker, probe the circumstances surrounding a suspected suicide case, and unravel the mystery behind the poisoning of a cluster of elderly individuals – all employing the intellect and creativity reminiscent of his grandfather’s renowned work.

Yesterday, CBS announced it will produce a sitcom called “DMV” (set in a vehicle registration office) and has set up a writers’ room for another show called “Eternally Yours,” both of which are single-camera productions. The same people behind the hit series “Ghosts” are producing these shows.

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2024-08-06 20:16