ORIGINAL SERIES “BLUNT TALK” FROM THE MINDS OF
SETH MACFARLANE AND JONATHAN AMES
CREATED AND WRITTEN BY JONATHAN AMES
AND STARRING PATRICK STEWART
MacFarlane and Ames to Serve as Executive Producers on New MRC series
Beverly Hills, Calif. – APRIL 29, 2014 – STARZ today announced a two-season, 20-episode greenlight of “Blunt Talk,” a half-hour scripted comedy series from Media Rights Capital (MRC). The project, from Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy,” Ted, A Million Ways to Die in the West) and Jonathan Ames (“Bored to Death”), was picked up straight-to-series with 20 episodes over two seasons, set to air in 2015.
MacFarlane and Fuzzy Door Productions, Inc. serve as executive producer. Ames, who originated the idea for the series, will also serve as executive producer and as writer and showrunner. Patrick Stewart (X-Men franchise, Ted) will play the lead role of Walter Blunt and also serves as a producer. Patrick Stewart next returns to the big screen reprising his role as ‘Professor Charles Xavier’ in X-Men: Days of Future Past, out May 23, and stars in the independent comedy-drama, “Match,” which just premiered to rave reviews at the Tribeca Film Festival.
“Blunt Talk” is a character-driven comedy revolving around Walter Blunt (Patrick Stewart), a British import intent on conquering the world of American cable news. Through the platform of his nightly interview show, Blunt is on a mission to impart his wisdom and guidance on how Americans should live, think and behave. Besieged by network bosses, a dysfunctional news staff, numerous ex-wives and children of all ages, Blunt’s only support is the alcoholic manservant he transplanted from the U.K. to Page 1 of 1join him in Los Angeles. The series follows the fallout from Blunt’s well-intentioned, but mostly misguided decision-making, both on and off the air.
Starz CEO Chris Albrecht says, “In the character of Walter Blunt, Seth, Jonathan and Patrick have found the alchemy that makes a borderline alcoholic, mad-genius-Brit the man you want fighting in America’s corner. Seth and Jonathan have struck the right balance between biting wit and outright absurdity in building this world, and we cannot wait for Patrick to breathe life into Walter.”
“We have wanted to work with Chris Albrecht for years. His instinct for character-driven series is unparalleled and he is not afraid to push the boundaries,” said Modi Wiczyk, co-CEO of MRC. “We are lucky to have Seth, Jonathan and Patrick teaming up for this series and couldn’t be prouder to be supporting them.”
"I'm beyond thrilled to be working with Jonathan Ames and Sir Patrick Stewart,” says Seth Macfarlane. “Jonathan's creative talent is formidable, and his writing style is wholly original, hilarious, and provocative. And of course, Patrick Stewart is one of the greatest actors alive today. His skill and versatility are unmatched, and he will excel as the star of his own show. Thank you Starz for allowing us to bring Walter Blunt to life!"
Jonathan Ames notes "It's been a delight to collaborate on ‘Blunt Talk’ with two such talented and strange men as Seth MacFarlane and Patrick Stewart. The only problem is that sometimes on conference calls Seth will uncannily recreate Patrick's voice, and I'm not sure who's talking, but other than that it's been smooth sailing. I'm beyond pleased to have the opportunity to work with MRC, Chris Albrecht and Starz." ?
Patrick Stewart says, “My career took an abrupt and radical left turn when Seth McFarlane created CIA Deputy Director Avery Bullock on American Dad. This new character, Walter Blunt, is not at all like Avery, thank God, because this is live action and I am a Knight of the Realm. Blunt is, however, much smarter than Avery and has his own TV show, which has to be better than being Deputy Director of the CIA.”
Starz will retain all domestic multiplatform rights including television, home entertainment and digital.
MRC, the studio behind MacFarlane’s directorial debut Ted, which is the highest grossing original comedy of all time worldwide, and the award-winning series “House of Cards,” is best known as one of the most artist friendly independent studios. “Blunt Talk” continues MRC’s partnership with MacFarlane, dating back to the 2008 YouTube original series “Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy,” the upcoming summer release and MacFarlane’s acting debut, A Million Ways to Die in the West, and the highly anticipated sequel, Ted 2. MacFarlane is represented by WME and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein, Ames is represented by WME and Stephanie Davis of Wetdog Entertainment, Stewart is represented by Danie Streisand at UTA
About MRC
MRC is a leading film and television studio, specializing in the creation of content in partnership with the industry’s foremost creative talent. The company develops, produces and finances film and TV for leading distributors including Sony, Warner Brothers, Universal and Fox, as well as premier networks including HBO, ABC, Netflix, AMC, Lifetime and Comedy Central.
MRC is the studio behind the Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning series, House of Cards, distributed by Netflix and various international distributors. The company also developed, produced and financed Ted, distributed by Universal Pictures, the highest grossing original comedy of all time. For more information, please visit www.mrcstudios.com.
About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.
Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of March 31, 2014, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.3 million subscribers, including 21.9 million at STARZ, and 34.4 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air over 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.
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