NBC NEWS' PEACOCK PRODUCTIONS SIGNS DEAL WITH EXONEREE BRIAN BANKS TO DEVELOP NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES

NEW YORK - February 27, 2015 - NBC News' Peacock Productions announced today that it signed a deal with Brian Banks, an exoneree and advocate for the wrongfully convicted, to develop a new series. The unscripted series will investigate one potential case of wrongful conviction. It will take an in-depth look at the facts and key suspects, and attempt to answer questions that may have never been asked before.

"Brian has unique insight into the complex world of the criminal justice system," said Sharon Scott, President and General Manager of Peacock Productions. "He spent a decade fighting to clear his name and will draw on that experience during his investigation of one captivating case that has all the drama of a scripted series - except it is real."

"Peacock Productions is renowned for its expertise in the true-crime narrative and is at the forefront of unscripted programming," said Brian Banks. "I am excited to begin working with Peacock and delve deep into a case, aiming to expose the truth about whether the inmate is rightfully behind bars or if there is reasonable doubt."

According to Banks, at age 16 he was a highly recruited football player who verbally committed to a full scholarship offered to him by the University of Southern California. He dreamed of playing in the NFL. Tragically, a high-school acquaintance shattered those hopes one day in 2002 when she accused him of rape. Banks was sentenced to five years in prison and another five on parole.

Banks then describes a remarkable turn of events: Nearly a decade after his conviction, his accuser recanted her statement and admitted to fabricating the whole story. Represented by the California Innocence Project, Banks went to court with this new evidence to clear his name. At 27 years old, he was fully exonerated.

Since 2012, Banks says he has been making the most of his newfound freedom. He achieved his dream of playing professional football with the Atlanta Falcons and now works in the corporate headquarters of the NFL. Throughout, Banks has remained committed to his new life purpose as a speaker and advocate for the wrongly convicted with the California Innocence Project. His compelling story has also captured the interest of director Lee Daniels, who is creating a dramatic film about his life.

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About Peacock Productions

Peacock Productions is a nonfiction production company that combines the editorial expertise, technical resources, and seasoned talent of NBCUniversal to create series, events, and live specials for global audiences. Peacock Productions reaches more than 300 million people worldwide every year across broadcast, cable, syndication, and emerging platforms with its award-winning specials and series. Sharon Scott is the President and General Manager. To learn more, visit: http://www.peacockproductions.tv/