Gordon Ramsay to Produce The Inferno, a Restaurant Drama on NBC

Here comes the scripted restaurant drama you knew was inevitable: according to Deadline, shouty chef Gordon Ramsay's production company One Potato, Two Potato has teamed up with producer Scott Stuber (of Ted, Battleship, and Whitney fame) to create The Inferno. Created by Liz Garcia and Josh Harto (creators of TNT's Memphis Beat), the show has Smash director Michael Mayer signed on and will likely air on NBC. But what's it about?

According to Deadline:

The Inferno is described as a dark, operatic drama about two fledgling New York restaurateurs who, on the eve of bankruptcy, decide to hire a magnetic, fiery, larger-than-life mysterious Italian chef. His arrival changes these best friends' fortunes by making their restaurant the talk of the town, giving them everything they've ever wanted — but at a terrible cost.

The chef character is not intended to be based on Ramsay, although he will consult. Further questions: is the chef Italian, or does he just cook Italian food? What is the terrible cost? An actual deal with the devil? Or is the guy just a jerk? Who all will be on this show? Can Ramsay successfully produce a scripted show after his string of reality hits? How many cameos from other chefs will they manage to squeeze in, now that Chang, Ripert et al. have caught the acting bug from Treme? No word on when it will air: stay tuned.

· Gordon Ramsay & Scott Stuber To Produce NBC Restaurant Drama From 'Memphis Beat' Creators, Michael Mayer To Direct [Deadline]
· All Gordon Ramsay Coverage on Eater [-E-]