In a competitive situation, SYFY has landed the rights to the television series development of CHUCKY, everyone’s favorite red-haired, freckled-faced doll possessed by the soul of notorious serial killer, Charles Lee Ray. Produced by UCP, the series will be executive produced by creator Don Mancini, David Kirschner (“Hocus Pocus”), and Nick Antosca (Hulu’s THE ACT), under his banner Eat the Cat, through his overall deal with the studio. Mancini, who penned the film franchise, will also write the adaptation.

“It’s very rare that you get the opportunity to bring such an iconic character to your network, let alone with the original creator attached,” said Bill McGoldrick, president of scripted content at NBCU Cable Entertainment. “We look forward to working with Don, David and Nick on putting their blood, sweat, and more blood into bringing the Chucky story to television.”

“I’ve long wanted to bring Chucky to television and SYFY is the perfect network for us,” said Don Mancini. “The show will be a fresh take on the franchise, allowing us to explore Chucky’s character with a depth that is uniquely afforded by the television series format, while staying true to the original vision that has terrorized audiences for over three decades now.”

“I worked with Don on ‘Hannibal’ and on CHANNEL ZERO for SYFY, so developing CHUCKY with UCP really feels like coming home,” said Nick Antosca. “SYFY is the perfect place to tell the next chapter in the Chucky saga and having the original creative team lead the project will help elevate the story we are excited to tell.”

“In these troubled times, I believe it’s my obligation as a horror icon to reach the widest possible audience, on TV,” said Chucky. “For over thirty years, I’ve been scaring the sh*t out of you. But now at SYFY, I look forward to really making a difference.”

Chucky slashed his way into the pop culture zeitgeist in 1988 with the premiere of Child’s Play directed and co-written by Tom Holland, and produced by David Kirschner based on a story by Don Mancini. The franchise spawned six sequels, all of which Mancini wrote and Kirschner produced. Mancini also directed three of the films.