We’ve reviewed 100+ unproduced pilots and ranked the 10 with the strongest hit potential. Submit yours for a chance to join the Top 10.
Top 10 Un-produced Series Pilots
T1
Debbie
GEM score - 16.9
Author: Matt Thomas
Format: Television (One-hour)
Genre: Drama
-
Strong legal drama with a flawed, charismatic lead appeals broadly to adult viewers interested in courtroom and character-driven stories.
-
Clear central concept of a fallen star defense lawyer fighting for redemption and justice is compelling and well established early on.
-
Debbie is a vividly drawn, complex protagonist with clear flaws and strengths, promising rich multi-season character development.
-
While legal drama is familiar, the script’s frank tone, dark humor, and unvarnished portrayal of addiction and legal ethics add fresh boldness.
-
The pilot maintains steady tension with courtroom stakes, personal downfall, and a strong cliffhanger, encouraging viewers to continue watching.
T1
QB1
GEM score - 16.9
Author: Michael Weinreb
Format: Television (One-hour)
Genre: Drama
-
Sports drama with rich character dynamics and high-stakes draft intrigue appeals broadly to sports fans and drama viewers alike.
-
Clear central concept of an aging star quarterback facing decline and succession, with immediate tension around legacy and team politics.
-
Carson and Phoebe are compelling, layered characters with personal and professional conflicts promising deep multi-season arcs.
-
While grounded in familiar sports drama tropes, the script’s sharp dialogue and nuanced power dynamics offer fresh narrative boldness.
-
Strong pacing with escalating stakes and interpersonal tension keeps the viewer invested, culminating in a compelling draft-week cliffhanger.
#3
Occult Odyssey
GEM score - 13.3
Author: Khalil Clark
Format: Television (One-hour)
Genre: Horror
-
Strong historical fantasy with supernatural elements appeals broadly, especially to fans of dark, mystical dramas and diverse period settings.
-
The pilot clearly establishes a dark, magical world rooted in historical oppression, mixing witchcraft and mystery with immediate stakes.
-
Characters are distinct and layered, with clear motivations and emotional depth, promising complex arcs across multiple seasons.
-
Bold blend of historical setting, folklore, and dark magic with nuanced racial and social themes creates a fresh, daring narrative voice.
-
The script maintains tension through escalating supernatural and human threats, ending scenes with strong hooks that compel continued viewing.
#4
Our Flag Means Death (Musical)
GEM score - 12.2
Author: Tyler Tarlton
Format: Television (Half-hour)
Genre: Historical
-
The pirate-musical mashup offers broad appeal with humor, historical whimsy, and potential for diverse audiences and merchandising.
-
The central concept (a pirate crew staging a musical to bluff their way out of capture) is clear, unique, and immediately engaging.
-
Stede and crew show distinct personalities and comedic potential, though deeper arcs and complexity remain to be fully developed.
-
Combining pirate adventure with a meta-theatrical musical is a bold, fresh narrative choice that subverts genre expectations.
-
The script maintains steady pacing with escalating stakes and humor, culminating in a lively, entertaining climax that invites continued viewing.
#5
Black Badge
GEM score - 8.8
Author: Cory Marciel
Format: Television (One-hour)
Genre: Western
-
Strong historical drama with broad demographic appeal and potential for serialized storytelling and merchandising around iconic Western and civil rights themes.
-
Clear, compelling hook centered on a former slave turned U.S. Marshal navigating a violent, lawless territory, immediately establishing stakes and setting.
-
Bass Reeves is a charismatic, complex protagonist with clear inner conflict and strong supporting characters, promising rich multi-season arcs.
-
Boldly centers on a historically underrepresented Black lawman in the Old West, blending genre conventions with fresh perspectives and social commentary.
-
Pacing is steady with escalating tension, strong cliffhangers, and a mix of action and character moments that sustain engagement throughout.
T6
The Privateer
GEM score - 6.8
Author: John Graney
Format: Television (One-hour)
Genre: Adventure
-
Strong pirate adventure with humor and action appeals broadly to adults and fans of historical drama and dark comedy.
-
Clear concept of privateers vs pirates with historical setting and moral ambiguity hooks interest immediately.
-
Distinctive, flawed characters with sibling rivalry and complex motivations promise rich multi-season development.
-
Bold language and tone mix pirate tropes with dark humor, though the genre itself is familiar.
-
Fast pacing, escalating conflicts, and cliffhanger moments maintain strong engagement throughout the pilot.
T6
Vanilla
GEM score - 6.8
Author: John Darbonne
Format: Television (Half-hour)
Genre: Action
-
Strong genre blend of dystopian thriller and action with diverse characters appeals broadly, though some niche elements may limit mass-market reach.
-
The social credit system and border-crossing stakes are clearly established early, creating a compelling, high-stakes dystopian premise.
-
Vanilla and Jada have distinct voices and complex relationships, suggesting rich arcs and evolving conflicts over multiple seasons.
-
While dystopian social credit and border themes are familiar, the script’s cultural specificity and blending of action with intimate family drama feel fresh.
-
The pilot maintains strong tension and pacing with escalating stakes, cliffhangers, and physical confrontations that demand continued viewing.
T6
Belladonna
GEM score - 6.7
Author: Danielle Tjoelker
Format: Television (One-hour)
Genre: Action
-
Strong period adventure with piracy and naval intrigue appeals broadly to fans of historical drama and action, with potential for multi-quadrant interest.
-
The pilot clearly establishes a high-stakes pirate world and a protagonist defying gender norms, hooking viewers with immediate tension and clear goals.
-
Bella’s defiant spirit and complex relationships promise rich development; supporting characters show distinct traits and potential for evolving arcs.
-
While pirate and naval themes are familiar, the gender disguise and layered political intrigue add fresh, bold elements without feeling overly derivative.
-
The script maintains steady tension with escalating stakes, culminating in a powerful execution scene and a cliffhanger that demands continued viewing.
#9
Mimi & Vitus
GEM score - 6.1
Author: Ilham v. Schöning
Format: Television (Half-hour)
Genre: Family
-
Charming family-friendly fantasy with broad appeal for children and parents, fitting well into the kids’ adventure genre with potential for merchandise.
-
The magical wall transporting siblings to an adventure world is clear, compelling, and quickly established, sparking immediate curiosity.
-
Mimi and Vitus are relatable and distinct young protagonists with room for growth, though their depth is only lightly sketched here.
-
While the magical portal concept is familiar, the use of a shared wall and sibling dynamic adds a fresh, gentle twist suitable for the target audience.
-
The pilot builds steadily with a satisfying magical reveal and a clear cliffhanger, encouraging viewers to continue exploring the new world.
#10
Joyless
GEM score - 6.0
Author: Ryan Manns and Jocelyn Manns
Format: Television (Half-hour)
Genre: Sci-Fi
-
Strong sci-fi action with humor and diverse characters appeals broadly, with potential for merchandising and multi-quadrant interest.
-
Clear central concept of memory theft and rebellion in a futuristic setting is compelling and quickly established.
-
Jane and supporting characters have distinct traits and conflicts, suggesting layered arcs, though some archetypes feel familiar.
-
Mixes classic sci-fi tropes with fresh humor and inventive tech ideas, but largely within established genre conventions.
-
Fast pacing, escalating stakes, and dynamic action sequences maintain strong engagement and end with a compelling cliffhanger.