MGM+ Greenlights True-Crime Docuseries ‘The Wonderland Murders & The Secret History of Hollywood’

Based on the hit Audible exclusive podcast by Michael Connelly (Bosch; The Lincoln Lawyer) and directed by Alison Ellwood (San Francisco Sounds, Laurel Canyon) the four-part docuseries will delve into the infamous 1980s Los Angeles mass murder

LOS ANGELES—November 7, 2023—MGM+, a premium linear channel and streaming service, today announced it has greenlit the true-crime docuseries The Wonderland Murders & The Secret History of Hollywood (working title), based on Michael Connelly’s (Bosch; The Lincoln Lawyer) hit Audible podcast of the same name. Directed by Alison Ellwood (San Francisco Sounds, Laurel Canyon), the four-episode docuseries will be the definitive examination of the infamous Wonderland murder case in 1980s Los Angeles. The Wonderland Murders & the Secret History of Hollywood was released exclusively on Audible as a limited documentary podcast series and audiences have spent 150,000 hours listening to Connelly’s riveting investigation.

On July 1, 1981, four people were discovered severely beaten to death in a suburban home in Laurel Canyon on Wonderland Avenue. The murders’ aftermath spans two decades and reaches into present day with details, subplots, and investigative twists that prove the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction. From a bought-off juror to the biggest porn actor of his generation, an alleged corrupt federal agent and a kind of Zelig of Hollywood’s dark underbelly, much about the case remains unresolved, and there are people who got away with murder.

Through explosive in-depth reporting, new developments, rare archival footage, and pivotal testimony from “missing witness” Scott Thorson (best known as Liberace’s boyfriend and the writer of the tell-all Behind the Candelabra), Wonderland Murders will delve into the gruesome crime that has captured the public’s imagination for nearly half a century, and tell a broader story about Los Angeles, the American dream, and when justice does—and doesn’t—work.

Wonderland Murders joins MGM+’s growing stable of smart, insightful, and thought-provoking true-crime docuseries,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “Michael Connelly is a renowned and tenacious crime writer, and Alison Ellwood is a visionary director, so there is no better team to explore one of Hollywood’s most notorious crimes.”

“I love Alison’s work and look forward to working with her and MGM+,” said Michael Connelly. “The Wonderland murders left an indelible impact on Hollywood, and exploring it with the original detectives and witnesses is exciting, and is going to help us answer many of the questions that are still out there.”

“Michael has curated an exceptional slate at MGM+, and we are thrilled Wonderland Murders will be in such illustrious company,” said Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman, heads of Sony Pictures Television’s The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC). “Alison is a filmmaker IPC has been chasing for years, and we feel incredibly fortunate we finally get to collaborate. Her take on Michael Connelly’s groundbreaking reporting will undoubtedly yield one the best true crime documentaries of the year.”

“It’s been one of the thrills of our professional lives to have worked with Michael Connelly over these past few years on the Wonderland podcast and now on the doc series,” said Jen Casey and Nick Gilhool. “And for the documentary adaptation to be led by Alison Ellwood, the consummate filmmaker, at a home like MGM+, with Michael Wright and Jill Burkhart, two of the best execs in the business, along with veteran storytellers Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman, and not to mention Rick Jackson with his inimitable expertise and access. We couldn’t imagine a greater team to usher this bigger-than-life story to the screen.”

The Wonderland Murders has all the qualities of a page-turning thriller that fans expect from Michael Connelly’s novels, except that it’s also a true story,” said Rachel Ghiazza, Chief Content Officer at Audible. “We could not be more excited to see this unforgettable and incredibly well-told story come to life in a new format with the support of our Amazon colleagues at MGM+.”

The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television’s The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC) and Miziker Content, and executive produced by Michael Connelly, Alison Ellwood, Jen Casey and Nick Gilhool, Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman for IPC, and Rick Jackson.

About Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly is a genre-defining writer who has sold over 85 million books worldwide. But before creating beloved characters that spawned popular movies and TV series such as Bosch and The Lincoln Lawyer, he was a crime beat reporter at The Los Angeles Times. While there, talk of the Wonderland case was a contagious buzz through the newsroom, and he caught the bug. He followed the case closely then, and in the decades since, hasn’t been able to shake his fascination. Connelly dropped everything to return to his journalistic roots when his best friend (and model for his Harry Bosch character), Rick Jackson, called him in 2020 with news that the last witness to the Wonderland case resurfaced. The result has been a yearslong investigation, a No. 1 hit podcast, and a period of relationship building for Connelly with the major players, including that witness. Just like his most popular character Harry Bosch, Connelly returns again and again to the facts of the case. He has spent the last three years uncovering evidence, and it all comes back to one slippery character, Jackson’s source, Scott Thorson. In this series, Connelly serves as our guide, revealing the secrets of Hollywood—all through the entry point of the Wonderland Murders.

About The Intellectual Property Corporation

The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), a part of Sony Pictures Television, is an Emmy-winning content creation and production studio based in Van Nuys, California. Founded in 2016 by Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman, IPC develops and produces premium television, film, documentary, commercial, and interactive mobile content for global streamers and U.S. broadcast and cable networks. Recent productions include Indian Matchmaking and Night Stalker (Netflix); Secrets of Playboy (A&E); Selena + Chef (Max & Food Network) and The Climb (Max); We’re Here and The Swamp (HBO); This Is Paris (YouTube Originals); The Last Narc (Amazon); Empires of New York (CNBC); and Death in the Dorms and The Con (ABC). IPC is a two-time Emmy Award recipient and a Producers Guild Award recipient for its series Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath (A&E).

About Audible

Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 850,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers.

About MGM+

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic and limited series including The Winter King, Beacon 23, A Spy Among Friends, War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, My Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons, and San Francisco Sounds: A Place in Time. Premium movies are also available, including Top Gun: Maverick, No Time to Die, Creed 3, House of Gucci, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Till, and Smile.

With thousands of titles available for streaming, MGM+ is available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, emerging digital distribution channels, its MGM+ app, and all new Fire TV device purchases come with a six-month MGM+ subscription courtesy of Amazon. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to www.mgmplus.com or follow on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Press contacts:

Liz Isenberg, MGM+

iseeliza@amazon.com

Lauren Dundee, MGM+

ldundee@vendor.mgm.com

MGM+ Picks Up Science-Fiction Thriller ‘Beacon 23’

Produced by Boat Rocker and based on the best-selling book by Hugh Howey, the series stars Emmy nominee Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) and Emmy and Golden Globe Nominee Stephan James (Homecoming)

The series is set to premiere on MGM+ on Sunday, November 12

Download images HERE

Credit: Rafy Winterfeld/Boat Rocker/MGM+

 

LOS ANGELES—September 20, 2023—MGM+, a premium linear channel and streaming service, today announced it has picked up the science-fiction mystery thriller and love story Beacon 23, based on the best-selling book by Hugh Howey. Produced by Boat Rocker, the global series premiere is scheduled to debut on Sunday, November 12 on MGM+ at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST with the first two of eight episodes. Zak Penn (Ready Player One, Free Guy) created the series, and executive produced along with Glen Mazzara (The Walking Dead, The Shield).

Beacon 23 takes place in the farthest reaches of the Milky Way and follows Aster (Lena Headey), a government agent, and Halan (Stephan James), a stoic ex-military man, whose fates become entangled after they find themselves trapped together inside one of many Beacons that serve as a lighthouse for intergalactic travelers. Every Beacon is run by one highly trained human and a specialized Artificial Intelligence. Aster mysteriously finds her way to the lonely Beacon-keeper Halan, and a tense battle of wills unfolds. Halan begins to question whether Aster is friend or foe, as her ability to disguise her agenda and motives could make her a formidable opponent.

Beacon 23 is a series in the best tradition of thought-provoking genre storytelling,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “With the incredible vision of Zak Penn and Glen Mazzara, riveting performances by Lena Headey and Stephan James, and an exciting world-building design, Beacon 23 is essential viewing for fans of premium science-fiction drama.”

“We’re delighted to bring Beacon 23 to MGM+ and introduce viewers to a world in the dark recesses of space where nothing is quite what it seems,” said David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, Co-Executive Chairmen, Boat Rocker Media and Co-Chairmen, Boat Rocker Studios. “Beacon 23 is a rare psychological thriller whose rich characters and gripping storylines take you to some pretty unexpected places. We’re grateful to our creative partners for helping bring this epic story to life.”

Produced by Boat Rocker, Zak Penn and Glen Mazzara served as executive producers alongside David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, James Middleton, Nick Nantell,Tina Thor, Katie O’Connell Marsh, Elisa Ellis, Liz Varner, Ira Steven Behr, Daniel Percival, Joy Blake, Lena Headey, and Stephan James.

Boat Rocker oversees global distribution and licensing for Beacon 23.

 

About Boat Rocker

Boat Rocker is the home for creative visionaries. An independent, integrated global entertainment company, our purpose is to tell stories and build iconic brands across all genres and mediums. With offices around the world, Boat Rocker’s creative and commercial capabilities include Scripted, Unscripted, and Kids and Family television production, distribution, brand & franchise management, a world-class animation studio, and talent management through Untitled Entertainment. A selection of Boat Rocker’s projects include: Invasion (Apple TV+), Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (Hulu), Slip (Roku), Downey’s Dream Cars (Max), Orphan Black (BBC AMERICA, CTV Sci-Fi Channel), Dear…(Apple TV+), Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry (Apple TV+), The Next Step (BBC, Corus, CBC), Daniel Spellbound (Netflix), and Dino Ranch (Disney+, Disney Junior, CBC). For more information, please visit www.boatrocker.com.

About MGM+ 

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series Winter King, War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, Helter Skelter, Slow BurnMy Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons, and Murf the Surf. Premium movies are also available, including Top Gun: MaverickNo Time to Die, House of GucciSonic the Hedgehog 2, Smile, Creed 3, and Till

MGM+ is available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to www.mgmplus.com or follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

 

Press contacts:

Eileen Quast, MGM+

equast@amazon.com

 

Liz Isenberg, MGM+ 

iseeliza@amazon.com

MGM+ Original Docuseries NFL Icons Season Three Premieres October 21 

The four-part docuseries will feature Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Bill Cowher, Charles Woodson, and Mike Singletary 

 

Download Photos: https://mgm.box.com/s/63y9zydzvn1ww42zyotj7gsr07ds3wgt

Photo Credit: AP IMAGES 

 

LOS ANGELES—August 9, 2023—Today, premium linear channel and streaming service MGM+ announced that Season Three of NFL Icons will premiere on October 21 at 10 p.m. EDT/PDT with a four-week run. NFL Icons celebrates some of the greatest names and contributors in NFL history, featuring their own words and unrivaled archival footage from NFL Films. Each hour-long episode focuses on a single subject, whose career comes to life through a deep dive into the NFL Films archives, and the opportunity to reflect on their landmark contributions.

Season Three will spotlight Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Charles Woodson, Bill Cowher, and Mike Singletary.

Each episode of NFL Icons provides an in-depth and personal exploration of some of the biggest names in football history, showcasing not only their remarkable athleticism, but also the significant impact these icons had on the game and their communities. The docuseries, narrated by award-winning broadcaster Rich Eisen, will tell each legendary figure’s story through a combination of interviews, highlights, mic’d-up sound, and never-before-seen footage. Executive producers of NFL Icons are Ross Ketover, Patrick Kelleher, Brian Rolapp, Keith Cossrow, Michael Wright, and Jill Burkhart. Ken Rodgers is the senior coordinating producer, and Paul Camarata is the series producer.

“NFL Icons, from the acclaimed and gifted storytellers at NFL Films, and narrated by the remarkable Rich Eisen, has become a fan favorite at MGM+,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “NFL Icons fits perfectly into MGM+’s growing stable of compelling and entertaining docuseries. It entertains and inspires, celebrating the careers of the most iconic competitors the league has produced, their unique personal journeys, and the incredible impact they have made on and off the gridiron.”

Episode 301 – “NFL Icons: Jim Brown” – premieres October 21 at 10 p.m. EDT/PDT. The epic life of an American giant of athletics, acting, and activism, whose groundbreaking story winds from a childhood in rural Georgia, to a four-sport career at Syracuse University, to an NFL Championship-winning career with the Cleveland Browns. Brown was perhaps the league’s greatest running back before he helped transform Hollywood and played a highly visible role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Episode 302 – “NFL Icons: Bill Cowher” – premieres October 28. A Pittsburgh native who rose to become the head coach of his cherished hometown team, and the youngest head coach in NFL history to lead his team to the Super Bowl, Cowher also led the Steelers on one of history’s greatest playoff runs to capture their fifth Lombardi Trophy. He is currently a studio analyst for The NFL Today on CBS.

Episode 303 – “NFL Icons: Mike Singletary” – premieres November 4. The Hall of Fame middle linebacker and Super Bowl champion was the heart of arguably history’s greatest and most-feared defense, the fearsome 1985 Chicago Bears. Singletary has coached at all levels of football, including stints with the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.

Episode 304 –“NFL Icons: Charles Woodson” – premieres November 11. Woodson, a Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packer, legendary Oakland Raider, Ohio Mr. Football, Pro Football Hall of Famer, and Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Michigan, recounts his singular journey across the football landscape. Woodson, who played 154 games as a Raider, and 100 as a Packer, is now with FOX Sports.

About NFL Films 

Winner of 136 Sports Emmy awards, NFL Films remains a gold standard in sports television, providing unprecedented access to and legendary storytelling about the sport of professional football. NFL Films is a part of NFL Media, the owned and operated media division of the National Football League, which is comprised of NFL Network, NFL Films, the NFL App, NFL.com, NFL+, NFL RedZone, and the streaming service the NFL Channel.

About Rich Eisen  

One of television’s most visible anchors and personalities, Rich Eisen was a mainstay on ESPN’s SportsCenter from 1996-2003 before becoming the first on-air talent added at the NFL Network in June 2003, five months before the network’s launch that November.

In 2014, Eisen created The Rich Eisen Show. Now in its ninth year, both Eisen and the show have received multiple Emmy nominations for Outstanding Personality/Studio Host and Outstanding Studio Show-Daily.  Airing from noon-3PM ET on Roku TV and simulcast on Westwood One, The Rich Eisen Show originates out of Los Angeles, CA and features an engaging mix of sports, humor, and pop culture, while attracting the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment including Tom Brady, Matt Damon, Jerry Seinfeld, Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Regina King, Aaron Rodgers, Larry David, Morgan Freeman and more.

He continues to be a centerpiece at the NFL Network, where he will celebrate his 20 year anniversary at the network this Fall. As with The Rich Eisen Show, his work at the NFL Network has garnered four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Studio Host and can be seen Sunday mornings throughout the NFL season hosting the network’s Emmy-nominated NFL GameDay Morning. As the signature host of the NFL Network, Eisen also serves as the emcee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Canton, Ohio, and anchors the network’s special, on location coverage of the NFL Draft, NFL Scouting Combine and Super Bowl.

About MGM+ 

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series A Spy Among FriendsWar of the WorldsRogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel CanyonHelter SkelterSlow BurnMy Life as a Rolling StoneNFL Icons, and Murf the Surf. Premium movies are also available, including Top Gun: MaverickNo Time to DieHouse of GucciSonic the Hedgehog 2Smile, and Till.

MGM+ will continue to be available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to [www.mgmplus.com ] or follow on [Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.]

 

Press contacts:

Eileen Quast: equast@amazon.com

Ray Stallone: raystallone12@gmail.com

Lauren Dundee: Ldundee@vendor.mgm.com

MGM+ Renews Sci-Fi Horror Series FROM for Season Three 

Created by John Griffin and executive produced by Griffin and Lost alums Jeff Pinkner and Jack Bender, 

the series will return in 2024  

Download Photos: HERE 

Photo Credit: Chris Reardon/MGM+ 

  

BEVERLY HILLS, California—June 29, 2023—MGM+, a premium linear channel and streaming service, announced today that the contemporary sci-fi horror series FROM has been renewed for a 10-episode third season. Created and executive produced by John Griffin (Crater) and executive produced by showrunner Jeff Pinkner (Lost, Alias, Fringe), and director Jack Bender (Lost, Game of Thrones), the series unravels the mystery of a nightmarish town that traps all those who enter. In the wake of Season Two’s epic cliffhanger, escape will become a tantalizing and very real possibility as the true nature of the town comes into focus, and the townspeople go on offense against the myriad horrors surrounding them. The series is set to return in 2024.  

FROM is the second-most viewed series in the history of the premium network, behind the Emmy winning Godfather of Harlem, starring Forest Whitaker and co-created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein (Narcos).   

The series stars Harold Perrineau (Lost) and an ensemble cast which includes Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace, The Affair), Eion Bailey (Band of Brothers, Once Upon a Time), Hannah Cheramy (Under Wraps, Van Helsing), Simon Webster (Strays), Ricky He (The Good Doctor), Chloe Van Landschoot (Charity, Skin), Corteon Moore (Utopia Falls), Pegah Ghafoori (The Perfect Wedding), David Alpay (Castle Rock), Elizabeth Saunders (Clarice), Elizabeth Moy, Avery Konrad (Honor Society), and Scott McCord (East of Middle West). Joining the ensemble in Season Two were Nathan D. Simmons (Diggstown, This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Kaelen Ohm (Hit & Run, Eumenides Falls), Angela Moore (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Maid), A.J. Simmons (Reacher), and Deborah Grover (My Next Door Nightmare, Jann). 

“The first two seasons of FROM captivated critics and terrified and engaged fans, who have formed a thriving online community that is trying to put the pieces together week by week as the secrets of the nightmarish town—and possibly beyond—are slowly revealed,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “We can’t wait for fans to see the surprises ahead in Season Three, which promises more scares and mysteries, but also more answers.” 

“We’re so grateful for the support of our fans and FROMily this season. We have a lot more story to tell … and shocking, weird roads to take you on, with plenty of answers along the way,” said Jack Bender, executive producer and director. 

FROM is a co-production between MGM+ Studios and Amazon’s Pan-English scripted TV.  Alongside Jeff Pinkner, John Griffin, and Jack Bender, serving as executive producers are Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Scott Rosenberg from Midnight Radio, Anthony and Joe Russo and Mike Larocca from AGBO, and Lindsay Dunn. Midnight Radio’s Adrienne Erickson serves as co-executive producer. The series is distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution. 

 

About Midnight Radio  

Midnight Radio is the producing team of Josh Appelbaum, André Namec, Jeff Pinkner & Scott Rosenberg. On the TV side they are responsible for shows such as High Fidelity for Hulu, Cowboy Bebop for Netflix, and Zoo for CBS. On the film side, Jeff Pinkner & Scott Rosenberg co-wrote both Jumanji and Jumanji 2: The Next Level for Sony, as well as Venom for Sony, starring Tom Hardy. Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec wrote Misson Impossible: Ghost Protocol for Paramount, and produced Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, starring Michael B. Jordan, for Amazon.  

 

About AGBO  

Founded by award-winning, record-breaking directors Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led entertainment company focused on creating content born of innovative story universes across film, television, and digital platforms. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, AGBO was founded in 2017.  

 

About MGM+  

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series A Spy Among Friends,War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, Domina and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, Helter Skelter, Slow Burn, My Life as a Rolling Stone,NFL Icons, and Murf the Surf. Premium movies are also available, includingTop Gun: Maverick, No Time to Die, House of Gucci, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Smile and Till.  

MGM+ will continue to be available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to [www.mgmplus.com] or follow on [Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube].   

 

MGM+ PRESS CONTACTS: 

Eileen Quast, equast@amazon.com  

Liz Isenberg, iseeliza@amazon.com  

MGM+ Picks Up Arthurian Legend ‘The Winter King’, Based on Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles

Produced by Bad Wolf, and adapted by Kate Brooke and Ed Whitmore, 

the series is set to premiere on MGM+ on August 20

Download images  HERE

 

LOS ANGELES—May 17, 2023—MGM+, a premium linear channel and streaming service, today announced a 10-episode order for The Winter King, an MGM+ original series and bold and revisionist take on well-loved Arthurian legends, based on Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles series. Produced by Sony Pictures Television-owned Bad Wolf, filming took place in Wales and the West Country, and the global series premiere is scheduled for August 20, 2023, at 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on MGM+.  Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, His Dark Materials) serves as lead director and executive producer, alongside Toby Leslie.

The Winter King is set in the fifth century, long before Britain was united, in a brutal land of warring factions and tribes, where lives were often fleeting. The series follows Arthur Pendragon as he evolves from outcast to legendary warrior and leader.

The Winter King is a cinematic and imaginative reinterpretation of the Arthurian legend,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “Kate Brooke, Ed Whitmore, and the magnificent cast take viewers on a fascinating and entertaining journey through this timeless tale told through a new lens.”

“It’s long been Bad Wolf’s ambition to bring the Arthurian legend to the screen. It’s a story of courage, sacrifice and passion that has endured for generations,” said Julie Gardner, executive producer. “With Bernard Cornwell’s trilogy as our North Star, we are honored to be on this quest with our wonderful partners at MGM+, ITVX and Sony Pictures Television.”

The series stars Iain De Caestecker  (The Control Room, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Arthur Pendragon, alongside Eddie Marsan (The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, Deceit) as High King Uther, Ellie James (Giri/Haji, I May Destroy You) as Nimue, Nathaniel Martello-White (Small Axe, I Hate Suzie) as Merlin, Stuart Campbell (Rogue Heroes, Clique) as Derfel, Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie, The Crown) as Owain, Valene Kane (The Fall, Gangs of London) as Morgan, Jordan Alexandra (Mammals) as Guinevere, and Simon Merrells (Good Omens, Knightfall) as Gundleus.

The ensemble cast also features Steven Elder (The King, A Spy Among Friends) as Bishop Bedwin, Andrew Gower (Outlander, Carnival Row) as Sansum, Aneirin Hughes (Keeping Faith, Dream Horse) as Gorfydd, Emily John (My Policeman) as Ceinwyn, Tatjana Nardone (Devils, State of Consciousness) as Ladwyss, Ken Nwosu (Killing Eve, The Letter for the King) as Sagramor, and Billy Postlethwaite (The Great, Chernobyl) as Cadwys.

Kate Brooke (Bancroft, A Discovery of Witches) and Ed Whitmore (Silent Witness, Manhunt) adapted Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles and act as executive producers. Julie Gardner (Doctor Who, I Hate Suzie), Lachlan MacKinnon (Industry, A Discovery of Witches) and Jane Tranter (His Dark Materials, Succession) serve as executive producers with Sherry Marsh (Pose, Vikings). Shelley Browning and Kenneth L. Browning are also executive producers, and the drama is produced by Catrin Lewis Defis for Bad Wolf, in association with One Big Picture. Sony Pictures Television is distributing The Winter King worldwide, and the series will stream on ITVX in the UK later this year.

About Bad Wolf

Bad Wolf are the multi award-winning producers of three seasons of His Dark Materials for BBC/HBO; three seasons of A Discovery of Witches for Sky / AMC; two seasons of Lucy Prebble’s I Hate Suzie for Sky / HBO Max and are in production on a third season of the acclaimed series Industry for HBO / BBC, and Doctor Who for BBC / Disney+. In 2021, Sony Pictures Television took a majority stake in the company.

About Sony Pictures Television

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing, distributing, and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global content business, operating a robust portfolio of wholly owned and joint-venture production companies across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, as well as linear and digital channels around the world. SPT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.

About MGM+ 

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series A Spy Among Friends, War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, Helter Skelter, Slow BurnMy Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons, and Murf the Surf. Premium movies are also available, including Top Gun: MaverickNo Time to Die, House of GucciSonic the Hedgehog 2, Smile and Till.

MGM+ will continue to be available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to [www.mgmplus.com] or follow on [Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube].

Press contacts:

Eileen Quast, MGM+

equast@amazon.com

Liz Isenberg, MGM+

iseeliza@amazon.com

MGM+ Orders Suspense Thriller ‘Emperor of Ocean Park’, Based on Stephen L. Carter’s Best-Selling Novel

MGM+ Orders Suspense Thriller Emperor of Ocean Park, Based on Stephen L. Carter’s

Best-Selling Novel

 

Series from Sherman Payne, John Wells Productions, and Warner Bros. Television

LOS ANGELES—April 25, 2023—MGM+ today announced a 10-episode series order for Emperor of Ocean Park, a thrilling, suspenseful take on author and law professor Stephen L. Carter’s best-selling novel, from executive producer/writer Sherman Payne (Charm City Kings, Shameless), John Wells Productions (JWP), and Warner Bros. Television. Damian Marcano (Lawman: Bass Reeves) is set to direct multiple episodes. Set in the worlds of politics, Ivy League academia, and the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard, the series centers on Talcott Garland, an Ivy League law professor whose quiet life is shattered when his father, Judge Oliver Garland, dies of an apparent heart attack. The nature of the judge’s death is questioned by Tal’s sister, Mariah, a former journalist and inveterate conspiracy theorist, who believes that the judge, a failed Black nominee to the Supreme Court, met with foul play.

Emperor of Ocean Park is much more than a murder mystery,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “While it is an engrossing whodunit in its own right, it also explores important themes of middle-and-upper-class Black identity, making it an outstanding addition to MGM+’s slate of engaging and thought-provoking original series.”

“Stephen L. Carter’s best-selling novel set a new standard for stories about power, race, politics, and wealth,” said Sherman Payne, showrunner and executive producer. “It’s exceedingly rare to see Black people depicted in these settings and I believe viewers of all backgrounds will be entertained by our portrayal of the extraordinary Garland clan and the intrigue that engulfs them. I’m overjoyed to partner with John Wells Productions, Warner Bros., and MGM+ to bring this remarkable mystery to the screen.

“We’re tremendously excited to be producing Sherman Payne’s thrilling adaptation of  Emperor of Ocean Park, and to be associated with his talented team,” said John Wells, executive producer. “Bringing Stephen Carter’s novel to television has been a dream of ours, and we’re thankful to Michael Wright, Nancy Cotton, and everyone at MGM+ for giving us the opportunity to introduce audiences to the dangerous world of Judge Garland and his complicated, extraordinary family.

Emperor of Ocean Park is produced by JWP in association with Warner Bros. Television, where JWP is under an overall deal. John Wells, Sherman Payne, Damian Marcano, Shukree Tilghman, and JWP’s Erin Jontow will serve as executive producers. Payne, who will also serves as showrunner, wrote the first episode, which will be directed by Marcano. Payne is represented by WME, Entertainment 360, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Carter and the novel are represented by Lynn Nesbit from Janklow & Nesbit, and Bob Bookman. Marcano is represented by Rothman Brecher Ehrich Livingston and Joel VanderKloot.

About John Wells Productions

John Wells Productions is the production company of writer, producer, and director John Wells. Most recently, Wells executive produced and directed the Emmy-nominated Maid for Netflix; Showtime’s Emmy-nominated Shameless; and the TNT drama series Animal Kingdom. Past television projects include NBC’s hit series ER, The West Wing, and Third Watch; the critically acclaimed Southland for TNT; the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Mildred Pierce for HBO; and the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated China Beach.

JWP’s current slate of television projects includes The Accident, with Wells writing and directing; the action workplace drama HI-Surf: Rescue, written by Matt Kester; the psychological thriller series Doll, with renowned theatre and opera director Ivo van Hove; and an adaptation of the critically acclaimed suspense thriller Notes on an Execution, by Danya Kukafka, with Kate Fodor writing.

The company currently has an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television.

Films produced by Wells include The Company Men, which was his feature directorial debut; Todd Haynes’ Far from Heaven and I’m Not There; Mark Romanek’s One Hour Photo; Todd Graff’s Camp; Fenton Bailey’s Party Monster; Robert Altman’s The Company; John Waters’ A Dirty Shame; Mary Harron’s The Notorious Bettie Page; Phyllis Nagy’s Mrs. Harris; Tom Kalin’s Savage Grace; Douglas McGrath’s Infamous; Jordan Scott’s Cracks; Andrew Neel’s Goat; Burnt, which he also directed; Bill Pohlad’s Love & Mercy; Carroll Ballard’s Duma; Peter Kominsky’s White Oleander; Neil Jordan’s The Good Thief; Andrzej Bartkowiak’s Doom; Tony Giglio’s Doom: Annihilation; Michael Mayer’s A Home at the End of the World; and Oscar-nominated August: Osage County, which Wells also directed, based on Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name.

About Warner Bros. Television

One of the entertainment industry’s most-respected providers of original programming since its founding in 1955, Warner Bros. Television delivers scripted dramas, comedies, limited series, and original movies for multiple platforms. As of April 2023, WBTV is producing more than 50 scripted series for Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max, external streaming platforms, cable, and the five U.S. broadcast networks.

About MGM+ 

MGM+ is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with Original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series A Spy Among Friends, War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, Helter Skelter, Slow Burn, My Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons, and Murf the Surf. Premium movies are also available, including No Time to Die, House of Gucci, Cyrano, and Licorice Pizza.

MGM+ will continue to be available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to [www.mgmplus.com ] or follow on [Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube].

Press Contacts:

MGM+:

Eileen Quast, PR, equast@amazon.com

Liz Isenberg, PR, iseeliza@amazon.com

John Well Productions:

Guido Gotz, GG@slatepr.com

Warner Bros. Television:

Rebecca Marks, rebecca.marks@warnerbros.com

Robert Pietranton, robert.pietranton@warnerbros.com

MGM+ Announces a Greenlight for the Docuseries ‘Hollywood Black’

MGM+ Greenlights Hollywood Black Docuseries, From Justin Simien’s Culture Machine, Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, and Academy Award-Winning RadicalMedia

Four-part docuseries exploring the Black experience in Hollywood will be directed by Justin Simien 

Link to Justin Simien’s headshot: Download here

Photo credit: Rick Proctor

LOS ANGELES —April 11, 2023—MGM+, a premium linear channel and streaming service, today announced a greenlight for the docuseries Hollywood Black, from Justin Simien’s Culture Machine, Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi’s Significant Productions, and the Academy Award-winning creative production company RadicalMedia. Based on the book by historian Donald Bogle, this four-part docuseries—directed by Justin Simien (Dear White People), whose upcoming Disney film Haunted Mansion will be released this summer—tells the epic story of the actors, writers, directors, and producers who fought for their place on the page, behind the camera, on the screen, and in the credits. It is a definitive chronicle of a century of the Black experience in Hollywood, and a powerful reexamination of a quintessentially American story—in brilliant color.  

“We are thrilled to work with Justin Simien, Jeffrey Schwarz, RadicalMedia, and to expand our prolific creative partnership with Forest and Nina,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “Hollywood Black, like other recent MGM+ docuseries, is an entertaining and thoughtful look at a vital part of American culture, examining the evolution of Black cinema and the talented artists who built it. It is a timely and relevant look at the Black experience in Hollywood.” 

“Hollywood, like many American industries, was built on Black culture and Black talent, even though it excluded Black people from many of its origin stories,” said Justin Simien. “This series seeks to illuminate present-day controversies, from #OscarSoWhite to the almost regular ‘blackface reveal’ of prominent white celebrities, told through the lens of Black individuals throughout Hollywood history. It’s the most important story I’ve been able to tell to date, on such a large scale, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to tell it with this team.”

“We love collaborating with visionary filmmakers, so it’s an honor to team up with Justin Simien/Culture Machine and Radical Media on Hollywood Black, especially alongside such immense support from Michael Wright and MGM+,” said Forest Whitaker. “Through this meaningful exploration of Black history in cinema, we’re excited to celebrate its future.”

Culture Machine’s Justin Simien (Dear White People, Bad Hair) and Kyle Laursen, Significant Productions’ Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi (Godfather of Harlem), and RadicalMedia’s Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Jon Kamen (Summer of Soul) and Jeffrey Swartz will all serve as executive producers. Amy Goodman Kass is showrunner, and Simien is set to direct. The docuseries will be internationally distributed by MGM. 

Hollywood Black is the latest addition to MGM+’s library of acclaimed docuseries, including Amityville: An Origin Story, Murf the Surf, Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, Helter Skelter, Slow Burn, My Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons, and Blumhouse’s Compendium of Horror. 

About Culture Machine

Culture Machine is a production company dedicated to inclusive content from marginalized voices poised to disrupt, activate and electrify popular culture. Culture Machine produced all four seasons of Justin Simien’s GLAAD- and Gotham Independent Film award-nominated series Dear White People on Netflix, adapted from Simien’s own Sundance Jury Prize-winning feature film. Culture Machine is currently producing the Flashdance series reboot for Paramount+ with Simien set to direct a contemporary take on the classic Paramount Pictures film. Culture Machine is also producing the series adaptation of Image Comics’ best-selling comic Geiger created by Geoff Johns & Gary Frank for Paramount. Their slate also includes Plan A from writer Steven J. Kung for Starz and with Lionsgate Television.

About Significant Productions

Co-founded by producing partners Forest Whitaker & Nina Yang Bongiovi, Significant Productions is committed to creating opportunities for underrepresented narratives and storytellers by championing films and television shows starring people of color, alongside diversified representation behind the camera.  

Significant Productions has produced critically acclaimed, culturally significant motion pictures by auteur filmmakers, including Fruitvale Station (2013) by Ryan Coogler, Dope (2015) by Rick Famuyiwa, Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) by Chloe Zhao, Roxanne Roxanne (2018) by Michael Larnell, Sorry to Bother You (2018) by Boots Riley, and A Kid from Coney Island (2020) by Coodie & ChikePassing, Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut (based on Nella Larsen’s novel of the same name) was released globally on Netflix in the fall of 2021, yielding four BAFTA nominations in 2022. Earlier this year, Significant launched Fancy Dance by Erica Tremblay and To Live and Die by Qasim Basir at Sundance, which both debuted to rave reviews. Notably, all eight narrative features produced by Nina & Forest premiered at Sundance Film Festival, and went on to garner over 90 wins and over 300 nominations throughout awards circuits.

Forest and Nina also serve as executive producers on the premium TV series “Godfather of Harlem,” which just aired its third season on MGM+, and the pair continues to support inclusive storytelling within the television realm through its first-look deal at Amazon Studios.

About RadicalMedia

RadicalMedia is one of the world’s leading producers of premium content. The company develops, creates & produces film, television, advertising, design, digital and immersive experiences.  RadicalMedia is celebrating its fourth overall Academy Award nomination and second win with Summer of Soul on Disney+ & Hulu, which has been recognized as one of the most awarded documentaries in history.  The company’s other Academy Award for Fog of War and their two other nominations for Paradise Lost on HBO and What Happened, Miss Simone? on Netflix are amongst some of their most celebrated films to date. 

Fluent in every discipline of storytelling across all media platforms, RadicalMedia has attained industry-wide recognition beyond the Academy Awards and Emmy® wins with multiple Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Independent Spirit Awards, Peabodys, Grammys®, The Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Communication Design, Cannes Lion Palme D’ore and just about every accolade associated with the advertising, marketing, and entertainment industry. 

About MGM+ 

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Murf the Surf, Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, Helter Skelter, Slow BurnMy Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons. Premium movies are also available, including No Time to DieHouse of GucciCyrano, and Licorice Pizza

MGM+ will continue to be available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to www.mgmplus.com or follow on TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTok, and YouTube.  

 

Press Contacts:

Eileen Quast, MGM+ PR:                                                                          

equast@mgm.com

Liz Isenberg, MGM+ PR:

lisenberg@mgm.com

 

New MGM+ Original Movie The Portable Door Coming Exclusively to MGM+ in April 

The fantasy-adventure features three-time Golden Globe nominee Sam Neill and Patrick Gibson leading an ensemble cast that includes two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz and Sophie Wilde.

Download Photo HERE 

Photo Credit: Mark Taylor 

BEVERLY HILLS, California—February 7, 2023—MGM+ announced today the pickup of a new fantasy-adventure comedy, The Portable Door, an MGM+ original film that will be coming exclusively to the U.S. market in April. The comedy stars multi-time Golden Globe nominee Sam Neill (Peter RabbitJurassic Park) and Patrick Gibson (The OATolkien),  joining two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz (Django UnchainedNo Time to Die) and Sophie Wilde (EdenYou Don’t Know Me). The award-winning Jeffrey Walker (Ali’s WeddingLambs of God) directed the film, which is adapted by Leon Ford (Griff the Invisible) from Tom Holt’s popular seven-book fantasy series. 

The movie centers on Paul Carpenter (Gibson) and Sophie Pettingel (Wilde), lowly, put-upon interns who begin working at the mysterious London firm J.W. Wells & Co., and become increasingly aware that their employers are anything but conventional. Charismatic villains Humphrey Wells (Waltz), the CEO of the company, and middle manager Dennis Tanner (Neill) are disrupting the world of magic by bringing modern corporate strategy to ancient magical practices, and Paul and Sophie discover the true agenda of the vast corporation. 

The cast also includes Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Chris Pang (Crazy Rich AsiansCharlie’s Angels), Jessica De Gouw (Gretel & Hansel, Pennyworth), and Rachel House (SoulThorRagnarok).    

A Jim Henson Company, Story Bridge Films, and Sky production, The Portable Door is produced by Todd Fellman from Story Bridge Films (DaybreakersBait 3D) and Blanca Lista (The Dark CrystalAge of Resistance). The Jim Henson Company’s Lisa Henson and Chris Lytton are executive producing, as are Arclight Films’ Gary Hamilton, Brian Beckmann, Ying Ye, and Ryan Hamilton, alongside Julia Stuart and Laura Grange from Sky, and Cailah Scobie and Shana Levine with Stan. Arclight Films is handling international rights to the movie. UTA’s Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance are jointly representing the film’s North American rights.  

The Portable Door  is a charming young-adult action-adventure fantasy with a British sensibility that is an excellent addition to our curated film library,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “With Sam Neill, Christoph Waltz, Patrick Gibson, and its wonderful cast of excellent actors, we’re thrilled to offer this delightful film to our audience of movie lovers.”

“There is no better home for this delightful and comedic adventure than on the prestigious new MGM+. Featuring deeply funny performances from our incredible cast, and a rich, high-fantasy setting, The Portable Door allowed us to create the kind of memorable, exciting world-building that The Jim Henson Company does best,” said executive producer Lisa Henson. “The Portable Door is poised to be the next Henson fan favorite.” 

The Portable Door is the newest original film announced by MGM+, joining an expansive library of film titles from MGM and other major Hollywood Studios. The library of titles includes blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick; MGM hits No Time to Die and House of Gucci; and beloved franchises like James Bond and Rocky. The service also offers fan favorites like The Silence of the LambsPlatoonRobocopThe Magnificent SevenThe Wolf of Wall StreetStar Trek: Into DarknessThe Lost CityBarbershop, The Pink PantherIn the Heat of the NightThe Thomas Crown AffairA Quiet Place, and Father of the Bride. 

About MGM+  

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon,Helter Skelter, Slow Burn, My Life as a Rolling Stone,NFL Icons, and Blumhouse’s Compendium of Horror. Premium movies are also available, including Top Gun: Maverick, No Time to Die, House of Gucci, Cyrano, and Licorice Pizza.   

MGM+ will continue to be available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to [www.mgmplus.com ] or follow on [Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube].    

About The Jim Henson Company 

The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 65 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. The Company’s most recent credits include the acclaimed Guillermo Del Toro’sPinocchio for Netflix, the Emmy®-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock for Apple TV+, and the feature film The Portable Door for MGM+. Other television credits include Slumberkins, Harriet the Spy and Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, all for Apple TV+, Word Party for Netflix, Earth to Ned for Disney+, and the Emmy-winning Netflix Original series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Other TV productions include Dinosaur Train (PBS), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Sid the Science Kid (PBS), and Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), as well as Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, and the sci-fi series Farscape. Feature film credits include The Star (Sony Pictures Animation), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Disney), and the groundbreaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth.  

With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and post-production facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative credits include The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Netflix), the feature film The Happytime Murders, and the popular live puppet improvisational show Puppet-Up! – Uncensored. 

Story Bridge Films 

Story Bridge Films is one of Australia’s most prolific independent film production companies specializing in the development, financing and production of Australian feature films and international co-productions. Recent credits include Daybreakers, Bait3D, IMAX Under the Sea 3D, A Few Best Men, Mental, Jungle, Guardians of the Tomb, At Last, Legend of Sun and Moon, Escape From Pretoria and Black Site. Based in Brisbane, Story Bridge Films is actively involved in a diverse range of upcoming local and international projects. 

About Sky 

Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies and is part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology company that connects people to moments and experiences that matter. At Sky we Believe in Better. It’s in our DNA. We’re famous for innovation. We offer streaming services NOW and WOW; the world’s smartest TV, Sky Glass; Sky Stream, the new, easy way to get the Sky Glass experience on any TV; and the best aggregation platform, Sky Q. We provide connectivity you can count on in mobile, and fast, secure, reliable residential and business broadband. 

We’re Europe’s premium content producer. We create award-winning original content, produce the biggest live sporting events, and we provide free access to news and the arts. We believe that we can have a positive impact on society, by supporting and creating tens of thousands of jobs, addressing digital inequality, being a diverse and inclusive employer, and becoming net zero carbon by 2030. 

Arclight Films 

For more information about Arclight Films, please visit: www.arclightfilms.com 

 

Press Contacts: 

Eileen Quast, MGM+ Public Relations 

equast@mgm.com 

 

Nicole, Goldman, The Jim Henson Company 

ngoldman@henson.com 

MGM+ Announces Season Two Pick-Up for Explosive War Drama ‘Rogue Heroes’

Series from Peaky Blinders Creator Steven Knight

To Return to MGM+ For a Second Season 

Download Season One Photos Here

New York, NY – January 10, 2023 – Following the UK renewal, MGM+ has announced that hit war drama Rogue Heroes will also return to the premium linear channel and streaming service for a second season. Produced by Kudos (a Banijay UK company) and Nebulastar and based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book of the same name, Rogue Heroes is a dramatized account of how the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two. Filming will begin on the second season later this year.

“The first season of Rogue Heroes captivated stateside audiences with its gripping and spirited storytelling about the formation of the SAS,” said Michael Wright, Head of MGM+. “It was immediately clear that there’s so much story to tell about this band of rag-tag soldiers and we couldn’t be more excited to see what Stephen Knight and Kudos have in store for the second season.”

“Having introduced the remarkable truth about how the SAS were formed, I can’t wait to reveal how this small band of young warriors went on to help win the defining war of the twentieth century,” said Steven Knight, creator, writer and executive producer.

Rogue Heroes season one was developed for television and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Taboo, A Christmas Carol) and directed by Tom Shankland (The Serpent, The Missing), with Stephen Smallwood (The Serpent, Patrick Melrose) as producer. The series was executive produced by Karen Wilson, Martin Haines and Emma Kingsman-Lloyd for Kudos, and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC. The series is internationally distributed by Banijay Rights.

The first season starred Connor Swindells (Sex Education, Vigil), Jack O’Connell (Skins, The North Water), Alfie Allen (Jojo Rabbit, Game of Thrones), Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk, The King), Sofia Boutella (Modern Love, Atomic Blonde), and Dominic West (The Wire, Appropriate Adult).

About MGM+ 

MGM+ is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with Original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, Helter Skelter, Slow BurnMy Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons, and Blumhouse’s Compendium of Horror. Premium movies are also available, including No Time to DieHouse of GucciCyrano, and Licorice Pizza.

MGM+ will continue to be available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to [www.mgmplus.com ] or follow on [TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTok, and YouTube].

 

Contact:

Eileen Quast:

equast@mgm.com

 

Liz Isenberg:

lisenberg@mgm.com

 

MGM+ Announces Second Season for Western Adventure Drama Series ‘Billy the Kid’ Starring Tom Blyth (‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’) as the Titular Character

Second season will premiere on MGM+ in 2024

NEW YORK—January 10, 2023—Today, MGM+ announced the renewal of Billy the Kid, starring Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) for an eight-episode second season. The epic romantic adventure inspired by the life of America’s most infamous outlaw continues in Season Two, as Billy and his allies square off against his oldest friend Jesse Evans (Daniel Webber) and the corrupt powers of the Santa Fe Ring. When shots are fired, the conflict erupts into the bloody Lincoln County War. Amidst the fighting, Billy will struggle to hang onto his soul—and to the love of his life. Production will begin in Canada later this year.

Creator, writer and executive producer Michael Hirst (Vikings, The Tudors, Elizabeth) will return for the second season alongside executive producers Donald De Line (De Line Pictures), Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (Amblin Television). The series is produced by MGM+ Studios and Amazon Studios: Pan-English Scripted TV, in association with Amblin Television and De Line Pictures. Billy the Kid is internationally distributed by MGM.

“I’m thrilled to be taking the legendary outlaw, Billy the Kid, into a second season with MGM+,” said Michael Hirst. “I’m particularly excited because the new season is built around the infamous and bloody events of the Lincoln County War. Billy’s exploits and extraordinary daring during the war made him famous, first across America and then the whole of the western world. It’s a story worth telling – dramatic, unforgettable, poignant, and iconic. And it will certainly be worth watching.”

“I’m honored to continue working on the incredible story of Billy the Kid with the brilliant Michael Hirst, the excellent team at MGM+, and my great partners at Amblin Television,” said Donald De Line. “Tom Blyth will continue to redefine this legendary character who’s synonymous with one of the most fascinating periods in the history of the American West.”

“In Season One, Michael Hirst, Donald De Line, and a stellar cast led by Tom Blyth brought Billy the Kid to life in a way that enthralled audiences,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “We’re excited to continue the story of this complex and misunderstood character during one of the most consequential chapters of his short life.”

Billy the Kid Season One was the platform’s second most viewed original series in the history of the premium network after the Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem starring Forest Whitaker.

About MGM 

Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content as well as the premium pay television network MGM+, which is available throughout the U.S. via cable, satellite, telco and digital distributors.  In addition, MGM has investments in numerous other television channels, digital platforms and interactive ventures and is producing premium short-form content for distribution. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About MGM+ 

MGM+ is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of quality original series and docuseries, the latest movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for original premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM; Emmy-winning series Godfather of Harlem; the Western adventure Billy the Kid; and cinematic dramatic series War of the Worlds, Rogue Heroes, and Belgravia. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, Helter Skelter, Slow BurnMy Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons, and Blumhouse’s Compendium of Horror. Premium movies are also available, including No Time to DieHouse of GucciCyrano, and Licorice Pizza.

MGM+ will continue to be available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, and emerging digital distribution channels, as well as through its MGM+ app, providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to [www.mgmplus.com ] or follow on [TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTok, and YouTube].

Contact:

Eileen Quast:

equast@mgm.com

 

Liz Isenberg:

lisenberg@mgm.com