Scalped (TV pilot)

Scalped is an American unaired television pilot episode developed by Doug Jung and Geoff Johns for WGN America. It is an adaptation of the comic book series Scalped created by Jason Aaron and R. M. Guéra, and published by DC Comics under their Vertigo imprint.

Premise

Scalped is a modern-day crime story set in the world of a Native American Indian reservation, and explores power, loyalty, and spirituality in a community led by the ambitious Chief Lincoln Red Crow, as he reckons with Dashiell Bad Horse who has returned home after years away from the reservation.

Cast and characters

The pilot episode featured an all Native American cast:

Alex Meraz as Dashiell Bad Horse: His return sets him on a violent path of self-discovery about his place on the Rez and on a collision course with both his estranged mother and Red Crow.
Gil Birmingham as Chief Lincoln Red Crow: A Lakota elder involved in every aspect of life on the reservation.
Irene Bedard as Gina Bad Horse: A legendary activist and Dashiell's mother.
Chaske Spencer as Sheriff Falls Down
Forrest Goodluck as Dino Poor Bear

Lily Gladstone was cast as Carol Red Crow, intended as a recurring role.

Production

In 2014 WGN America was developing a live action TV show Scalped, based on the Vertigo comic book series of the same name. The pilot order was given in March 2016. By February 2017, Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi were attached to direct a pilot. The pilot was filmed in New Mexico in early April, but in November, after WGN saw the pilot episode, they decided to pass on the series.