Toronto-headquartered marblemedia and L.A. and Toronto-based Fae Pictures are in development on Playback’s 10 to Watch recipient Abdul Malik’s series Salt.

Created by Malik, the primetime political family drama was acquired by marblemedia earlier this year at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Series Accelerator program, according to a news release. It is coproduced by marblemedia and Fae Pictures, with Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy, Mark Bishop, and Matt Hornburg of marblemedia, and Shant Joshi of Fae Pictures as the executive producers.

Salt received development funding from the Bell Fund Slate Development Program and Canada Media Fund Pilot Program for Racialized Communities.

The series follows a young man, raised by a wealthy and politically-influential Muslim family, who takes a job as a “salt” to unionize an international hotel chain in Chicago from the inside to make amends for his father’s sins. “Salt” is someone who gets a job at a specific workforce with the intent of organizing a union.

Malik said in a statement that the series is “really close” to his heart with its exploration of labour unions — a world he knows well, having started his career covering Alberta’s labour movement as a documentarian.

The new series “explores power in all its forms, and knows the moral complexities of its world in a way that makes for rapt television,” added Malik, who is director of development at Fae Pictures.

Shaughnessy, VP of scripted at marblemedia, said in a statement that “the series is aligned with our mandate to share stories that are rooted in authentic voices that are bold, inspiring and have a positive impact. We are proud to develop IP about topics that provoke conversation and galvanize change, while captivating audiences who covet smart, propulsive entertainment.”

She added that they are “looking to attract top producing partners, international talent and a showrunner who will align with Abdul’s creative vision.”

Malik’s previous credits include co-writing Jonathan Keijser’s feature Peace by Chocolate, which premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. Malik also served as a screenwriter on CTV’s Transplant, and Fae Pictures’ Streams Flow from a River and the upcoming Queen Tut. He is repped by META Talent Agency.

Images courtesy of marblemedia and Fae Pictures. L-R: Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy, Shant Joshi, Abdul Malik.