'The Departed' Comes to TV (But Not to Boston)

The Departed is getting a TV spinoff series (because that's apparently just what we do now), and at least one iconic aspect is changing: its setting will no longer be Boston.

Amazon's new series will be based on Martin Scorsese's 2006 Oscar winner, starting Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson, whose character is loosely based on notorious New England mobster James "Whitey" Bulger. Just to drive home the "Boston-ness," it also starred Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg.

But the movie-inspired TV series leaves all that behind, jetting instead to the metropolis of the Midwest.

Reports Deadspin:

"Inspired by the films, The Departed TV series is set at present-day Chicago, amidst the shifting tides of warring ethnic drug gangs. In it, a young cop goes undercover to infiltrate a ruthless Latino gang, which simultaneously plants its own man in the police department. The show follows these two embattled moles as they attempt to fulfill their mission and stay alive."

Lest our story's snarky lede deter you, there's a strong chance the series won't be anything but great. Basing television series off successful movies isn't exactly original, but it can certainly be successful (see: Fargo).

Plus, maybe it's a compliment to Boston that producers found us a bad fit for a modern-day crime drama.

As always, let us know what you think, in the comments here or on Facebook.

>> Photo by Alison Bauter, Patch staff