Citing a report by the Hollywood Reporter, Digital Spy said a writer is seeking a court order to acknowledge that the concept of the popular Showtime series, "Ray Donovan," is actually his. Brian A Larsen claimed that the television series was seemingly familiar to a pitch he did with network executives called "The Swissman."
The lawsuit, which was filed on February 13 with the Los Angeles Superior Court read that Larsen pitched a concept for a television series in late 2010 and early 2011 to network executives. The show concept was focused on a middle-aged "fixer" who has a difficulty family background, which is basically the storyline of the Showtime series. Digital Spy says Liev Schreiber plays the titular character in "Ray Donovan," who works as a fixer in Hollywood and has a hostile relationship with his father, who is played by veteran actor Jon Voight. Larsen is insinuating the Showtime got the inspiration for "Ray Donovan" from the former's pitch back in 2010.
Deadline said in a separate report that Larsen had a meeting with former Showtime Original Programming VP Danielle Gelber for his show concept and Writers' Guild of America register script on November 5, 2010. Larsen said in his lawsuit that his pitch called for a fixer who is based in San Francisco and helps high-profile clients with their problems discreetly. Gelber, said Larsen, promised him that she will be bringing the idea to her bosses, but didn't push through as a development meeting about the show concept fell through. Larsen claimed that despite passing up his show concept, Showtime management presented the idea to Mark Gordon's production company.
"Ray Donovan," which premiered on the network last year, lists writer Ann Biderman of "Southland" fame as its sole creator, Digital Spy said. Deadline also said that Gordon is credited as the producer of the Showtime series.
Larsen is demanding general damages and financial restitution, and is seeking a court order to stop production of the Showtime show.
A Showtime spokesperson said in a statement that the network has yet to be served with Larsen's lawsuit, and had no comment regarding the writer's claims against the network and "Ray Donovan."
