Some good news and some not-so good news… at least, based on the information in front of me.
I finally got around to looking over the press release AMC sent out this morning, announcing its new series pick-ups for next TV season, projects in development, programming premiere dates, series renewals and more.
The good news is that the network has given the Low Winter Sun a premiere date – Sunday, August 11 at 10PM, so mark your calendars.
The Ernest Dickerson-directed pilot episode impressed them enough, because AMC eventually ordered a 10-episode season for the new crime drama series, which stars Mark Strong, and Lennie James, with Ruben Santiago Hudson and Erika Alexander in supporting roles.
As a recap… the series will center on…
A contemporary story of murder, deception, revenge and corruption in a world where the line between cops and criminals is blurred, “Low Winter Sun” begins with the murder of a cop by a fellow Detroit detective. Seemingly the perfect crime, in reality the murder activates forces that will forever alter the detective’s life, and pull him into the heart of the Detroit underworld.
The show is expected to especially emphasize its racial themes.
In my recent interview with Dickerson, he called it a really dark police story involving murder, deception, betrayal and more that make for some really good drama.
As we already reported, Lennie James plays a character who is described as “part cop, part perp” to Mark Strong’s corrupt detective Frank, who murders his partner, thinks he’s committed the perfect crime, but in reality, not quite so. And then shit hits the fan!
Ruben Santiago Hudson will play the commander of the police precinct, a 25-year veteran of the force who has, thus far, survived the down and dirty arena of Detroit crime and politics.
Erika Alexander will play Louise “LC” Cullen, who’s described as a strong and intimidating cop who is completely matter-of-fact and straightforward in everything she does.
The series is based on the dark 2006 British crime drama miniseries of the same name.
So, August 11, 10pm, on AMC.
Now, the not-so-good news is that, nowhere in the lengthy press release from AMC is there any mention of another new project we’ve been following since AMC first announced it last year – an untitled Richard LaGravenese and Tony Goldwyn project, described as a legal thriller with major political, personal and ethical stakes.
Damon Gupton stars as Adam Powell – a district attorney who uncovers new evidence that prompts the re-investigation of a sensational murder case.
Aunjanue Ellis co-stars alongside Gupton, playing his wife, Billie Powell, described as a successful partner in a private equity firm and generally regarded by others as “the smartest person in the world.“
Also, Seth Gilliam (The Wire) as well as Clarke Peters (also of The Wire, and Treme, and more) play supporting roles as Adam’s younger brother, described as “a handsome uniformed cop,” and Adam’s (Damon’s) father, Isaiah Page, described as a retired cop and the former Philadelphia police commissioner.
Marin Ireland (Homeland, Mildred Pierce) rounds out the cast of what has always read like a stellar project, based on casting, producers, and the brief synopsis we have.
LaGravenese was to write and executive produce alongside Goldwyn, who was to direct. By the way, Goldwyn plays President Fitzgerald Grant on Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal; he’s a director in his own right, helming episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Damages, Private Practice, Dexter, Justified, and others.
I’ve been really looking forward to seeing what develops from this, but, it doesn’t look like AMC has picked it up to series; there’s no mention of even the pilot. Our last post on the project, in December, contained a note from AMC saying that the project “will remain in consideration for a potential series pick-up in 2013.”
Maybe there’s a future announcement coming…
