NBC anthology signs actors, directors, writers

NBC's upcoming series "Fear Itself" will feature Superman and one of "Mad Men's" women, and the directors of "American Psycho," "Re-Animator" and three of the "Saw" movies are on board as well.

The show, a suspense and horror anthology a la Showtime's "Masters of Horror" (and hailing from some of the same producers), is slated to premiere later this year. Its 13-episode run will feature installments directed by the likes of Stuart Gordon ("Re-Animator"), Mary Harron ("American Psycho"), John Landis ("An American Werewolf in London") and Ernest Dickerson ("The Wire," "Heroes").

"We've teamed up with some of the most illustrious writers, actors and directors to create a distinctive, scare-filled series that will push the boundaries of this classic genre," says Teri Weinberg, executive vice president of NBC Entertainment. "'Fear Itself' will deliver memorable and horrifying moments that will keep fans on the edge of their seats."

Among the actors signed to the show are Brandon Routh ("Superman Returns") and Shiri Appleby (" Charlie Wilson's War") as a young couple who moves to an eerily idyllic subdivision; Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men") as a rookie cop who's baby-sitting a serial killer in her precinct's cell; and Eric Roberts ("Heroes") and Cynthia Watros ("Lost") in an episode about a private eye staking out a haunted house.

Dan Knauf ("Supernatural"), Steve Niles ("30 Days of Night"), Victor Salva ("Jeepers Creepers") and Mick Garris ("Masters of Horror"), who's also credited as the creator of "Fear Itself," are among the writers penning episodes of the series.

"Masters of Horror" veterans Keith Addis and Andrew Deane are executive producing the show.