Fox has made its first pilot-to-series order of the upfront season with drama The Passage, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar, from Liz Heldens, Matt Reeves, Scott Free and 20th Century Fox TV.

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The Passage, based on Justin Cronin’s best-selling fantasy book trilogy, is a retooling success story. Originally shot last summer, the pilot was reworked and partially recast and reshot this pilot season as three characters were replaced with new ones. The second pilot was very well received and had been considered the clear frontrunner on the drama side at Fox.

Written by Heldens, The Passage is an epic, character‐driven thriller about a secret government medical facility experimenting with a dangerous virus that could either cure all disease or cause the downfall of the human race. The series focuses on a 10‐year‐old girl named Amy Bellafonte (Saniyya Sidney), who is chosen to be a test subject for this experiment and Brad Wolgast (Gosselaar), the federal agent who becomes her surrogate father as he tries to protect her.

Jason Ensler, who directed the new footage, and Marcos Siega, who helmed the original pilot, are both credited as directors. Heldens executive produces with Reeves, Free, David W. Zucker and Adam Kassan. 20th Century Fox TV produces with 6th & Idaho, Scott Free.

In addition to Gosselaar and Sidney, the cast includes Vincent Piazza as Clark Richards, Brianne Howey as Shauna Babcock, Jamie McShane as Dr. Tim Fanning, Caroline Chikezie as Dr. Major Nichole Sykes and Emmanuelle Chriqui as Dr. Lila Kyle.

Besides The Passage, Fox has dramas from Ilene Chaiken and Danny Strong in consideration for a pickup.