Conan Doyle and Houdini's friendship to be reimagined on the small screen

A drama based around the lives of two unlikely friends -- crime writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and illusionist Harry Houdini -- is set for TV networks in the USA, Canada and the UK.

Sony Pictures TV struck a deal with Fox in the US, ITV in the UK, and Shaw Media in Canada, for a production which has several heavy hitters on its roster.

David Titcher, who came up with ongoing action and adventure series "The Librarians," is also credited with creating "Houdini and Doyle" for Sony.

He's joined on staff by writer David Shore and producer David Hoselton, who both worked together on "House" -- Hoselton also has "CSI:NY" and "Chicago P.D." on his resumé, with Shore having both written and produced for "Battle Creek" and "Law & Order" among others.

What brings Houdini and Doyle together in this upcoming series is an interest in the supernatural -- Sherlock Holmes author Doyle was known for his curiosity in such matters, while magician Houdini has a reputation for debunking unfounded beliefs.

As a pair they set about investigating crimes which appear to have a supernatural element, reports Deadline.

The proposal builds upon contemporary interest in both Houdini, who was played by Adrien Brody in a 2014 History Channel mini-series, and Doyle.

The British author's character Sherlock Holmes has been the subject of two Guy Ritchie films and four TV series in recent years (Russia's "Sherlock Holmes," the USA's "Elementary," the UK's "Sherlock" with Benedict Cumberbatch, and Japanese puppet show series "Sherlock Holmes"), with Ian McKellen to star in June 2015's feature film "Mr. Holmes."