Novelists Megan Abbott and Lisa Lutz have joined the writing team for “The Deuce,” the upcoming HBO drama from David Simon and James Franco. Abbott and Lutz join current writers Simon, George Pelecanos and Richard Price.

Set in the ’70s and ’80s, “The Deuce” tells the story of the legalization and subsequent rise of the porn industry in New York’s Times Square. It explores the rough-and-tumble world that existed there before the rise of HIV, the violence of the cocaine epidemic and the renewed real estate market that ended the bawdy turbulence. The show is inspired by twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino, porn-industry players who fronted for organized crime. Franco will play both characters. Maggie Gyllenhaal is also set to star.

Abbott is the author of the books “Dare Me” and “The Fever.” Her next novel, “You Will Know Me,” is scheduled for release in July.

Lutz is the author of nine novels, including “The Passenger,” “How to Start a Fire,” the Spellman books series and “Heads You Lose,” co-authored with David Hayward.

Simon is the creator and executive producer of HBO’s “Show Me a Hero,” “Treme” and “The Wire.” He, Franco, Pelecanos and Price will serve as executive producers on “The Deuce” with Nina Noble (“The Wire,” “Treme”). Marc Henry Johnson and Gyllenhaal are producers for the series. Michelle MacLaren (“Breaking Bad”) directed and exec produced the pilot.