Variety is reporting that the CBS Telesvision Network has paid an unprecedented estimated $25-30 million to produce an American adaptation of a U.K. TV series, The Eleventh Hour.  Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI) is producing the series that is based on a four-part British TV show that was written by Doctor Who scribe Stephen Gallagher and starred Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation).  

The Eleventh Hour, which took on subjects ranging from human cloning to global warming, was characterized by Gallagher as 'science-based,' not 'science fiction.'  The American version has been described as an 'X-Files-like' project, which would apparently indicate that CBS wants a little conspiracy with its 'science' in order to attempt to ensure that the network's major commitment, which includes 13 episodes as well as a $4 million pilot, will be a hit.

Bruckheimer has assigned a very hot feature film writer, Mick Davies (The Invisible), and veteran CSI director Danny Cannon will helm The Eleventh Hour pilot.