By Steve Krutzler / 17:15, 7 January 2004 / People

USA Network today announced its upcoming development slate, including a new limited-run original drama series entitled 4400. The series is developed by former STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and DEEP SPACE NINE writer/producer Rene Echevarria. DS9 executive producer Ira Steven Behr and Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope label will share production duties.

4400 centers on individuals who go missing and turn up, reincarnated of sorts, on Earth. The pilot episode surrounds a murder involving one of the 4400s, which prompts a government agency to form in order to track these superhuman-like beings. The 4400s will appear unaged since their disappearance or death but possess "strange healing powers," according to a release from the network.

THE OUTER LIMITS producer Scott Peters developed the series with Echevarria and will co-write the pilot script. Echevarria began on ST:TNG and went on to become a producer on DEEP SPACE NINE, penning such episodes as "Second Chances," "Birthright," "Preemptive Strike," "Rejoined," "The Begotten," "Behind the Lines," "Covenant," "Chimera," and "Penumbra." Echevarria has written for NOW AND AGAIN, DARK ANGEL, and MDs since DS9 ended in 1999.

Behr had short-lived success with the ABC sitcom GEORGE PATTERSON, as well as last season's revival of THE TWILIGHT ZONE on UPN since the third TREK series wrapped now nearly five years ago. USA Network is also home to former TREK executive producer/creator Michael Piller's THE DEAD ZONE, which is now in production of its third season in anticipation of a summer debut.

For more on USA's new projects, visit this page.