FX has ordered the first season of “Atlanta,” a half-hour series created by and starring Donald Glover, it was announced today by Nick Grad and Eric Schrier, the Presidents of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions.
“‘Atlanta’ draws on Donald’s considerable talents as a musician, actor and writer to give us something unique,” Grad said. “The story is made all the more powerful by the great cast and the contributions of Donald’s fellow Executive Producer Paul Simms and director Hiro Murai. We can’t wait to for the debut of ‘Atlanta’ next year.”
Actor, writer and musician Glover will serve as Executive Producer, along with Paul Simms (“Girls,” “Flight of the Conchords,” “NewsRadio”) and Dianne McGunigle of MGMT Entertainment. “Atlanta” will be produced by FX Productions and air on FX in 2016.
Glover is an award-winning actor and writer best known for playing “Troy” on the sitcom Community. As a writer on NBC’s “30 Rock,” Glover received a WGA Award for best Comedy Series in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
“Atlanta” will also star Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Lee Stanfield and Zazie Beetz.
“Atlanta” revolves around two cousins on their way up through the Atlanta rap scene.
Donald Glover will play “Earnest ‘Earn’ Marks.” Glover is an award-winning actor and writer best known for playing “Troy” on the Yahoo! (formerly NBC) sitcom “Community.” As a writer on NBC’s “30 Rock,” Glover received a WGA Award for best Comedy Series in 2008, 2009 and 2010. As the musical artist Childish Gambino, Glover has received two Grammy Award nominations. Glover is represented by Greg Cavic at UTA, Lev Ginsburg of Ginsburg Daniels LLP, and Dianne McGunigle at MGMT Entertainment.
Brian Tyree Henry will play “Alfred Miles.” Henry is currently recurring on HBO’s “Vice Principals.” He is best known for his appearances in the feature film “Puerto Ricans in Paris,” and TV’s “The Knick,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “My America,” “The Good Wife” and “Law & Order.” Brian’s numerous theatre credits include the origination of the role of General in Broadway’s “Book of Mormon.” Brian is represented by Paul Hilepo of Hartig-Hilepo Agency and Jennifer Wiley-Stockton of JWS Entertainment.
Lakeith Lee Stanfield will play “Darius.” Stanfield has appeared in numerous feature films, including “Dope,” “Selma,” “Short Term 12,” “Straight Outta Compton” and “Miles Ahead,” and will next be seen in “Snowden.” He is also a member of the hip hop group Moors. Stanfield is represented by Jennifer Patredis at Innovative, Colin Stark, and Lev Ginsburg of Ginsburg Daniels LLP.
Zazie Beetz will play “Van.” Beetz has appeared in the feature film Applesauce and the short films “Beasts” and “The Crocotta.” She will next appear in the feature “Finding Her” and is currently shooting “Wolves” for writer/director Bart Freundlich. Beetz is represented by Gersh.
Hiro Murai, who directed the pilot, is an accomplished music video director, including the videos for Glover’s “Childish Gambino: Sober,” “Chet Faker: Gold” and “Earl Sweatshirt: Chum.” He has also served as a cinematographer on the television series “Drunk History” and “Funny or Die Presents…”
About FX
FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel of FX Networks, a business unit of 21ST Century Fox. FX Networks is comprised of FX, FXM and FXX. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in 93 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series, including “The Americans,” “The Strain,” “Tyrant,” “The Bastard Executioner” and the upcoming “Taboo;” the critically-acclaimed limited series “American Horror Story,” “Fargo” and the upcoming “American Crime Story;” acclaimed hit comedy series including the award-winning “Louie,” “Married,” “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll” and the upcoming “Baskets” and “Better Things.” FX is the former home of the critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit drama series “The Shield,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Rescue Me,” “Damages,” “Sons of Anarchy” and “Justified.” The network’s library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX’s roster of acquired hit series includes “Two and a Half Men,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Mike & Molly.”
About FX Productions
FX Productions (FXP) produces FX’s acclaimed hit drama series “The Strain;” the comedy series “Louie,” “Married” and the upcoming “Baskets” and “Better Things,” and the FXX comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Archer,” “The League,” “You’re the Worst,” “Man Seeking Woman” and the upcoming “Cassius and Clay,” and “The Untitled Tracy Morgan Project” (TBD). FXP co-produces the drama series “The Americans,” “Tyrant,” “The Bastard Executioner” and the upcoming “Taboo;” the limited series “Fargo,” which scored 18 Emmy(R) Award nominations and won the Emmy award for Outstanding Miniseries; the upcoming limited series “American Crime Story;” and the comedy series “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.” In 2015, FXP shows combined to deliver 17 Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series (“Louie”) and Outstanding Animated Program (“Archer”).
The above press release was issued by FX.