Better Call Saul may be ending this year, but AMC isn’t ready to let go of star Bob Odenkirk as he plans his next TV project with the network.
Straight Man, an adaptation of Richard Russo’s novel of the same name, will feature and be executive produced by Odenkirk. AMC has prioritized the project, which is written by Aaron Zelman and Paul Lieberstein. The show, from Sony’s TriStar TV and Gran Via, will be directed by Peter Farrelly and will premiere in 2023.
The possible series will be based on Richard Russo’s 1997 novel of the same name, which won the Pulitzer Prize. The series will premiere in 2023, according to the network and Sony Pictures Television.
Following a six-season stint on Better Call Saul, the prequel to Breaking Bad, in which he also participated for several seasons, Zelman and Lieberstein will serve as co-showrunners on the series, which will be Odenkirk’s first TV effort. Executive producers include Zelman, Lieberstein, Farrelly, Russo, Naomi Odenkirk, and Mark Provissiero, in addition to Odenkirk.
Straight Man is a mid-life crisis story narrated in the first person by William Henry Devereaux Jr. (Odenkirk), the unusual chairman of the English department at Railton Institution, a chronically underfunded college in Pennsylvania’s rust belt.
“Paul and Aaron’s take on Richard’s great and entertaining story was fantastic. In a statement, Odenkirk said, “Once again, a project with AMC with a focus on character depth and compassion.” “This environment (academics) appears to be highly relevant to the discussions we’re having.” I am drawn to the tone of humanity and humor in the novel and I look forward to playing this role – something lighter than my recent projects but still closely observed and smart.”
Straight Man is based on a true story of a mid-life crisis situated at Railton College. The story will be recounted through the eyes of William Henry Devereaux, Jr. (Odenkirk), the unusual chairman of the English department of a Pennsylvania rust belt college.
Aaron Zelman and Paul Lieberstein will adapt and executive produce the series, with Peter Farrelly set to direct. Odenkirk, Farrelly, Russo, Naomi Odenkirk, and Marc Provissiero serve as executive producers. It’s a collaboration between Sony Pictures Television’s TriStar TV and Gran Via.
“Bob Odenkirk is the best there is. “We are incredibly fortunate to be developing a new show that will keep him at AMC after Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, two iconic series that have been beloved by millions of fans and helped define AMC’s reputation for unforgettable characters and high-quality storytelling for adults,” said Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks.
“We’re also ecstatic to be collaborating with our friends at Sony Pictures Television and Mark Johnson’s Gran Via on this exciting project.”
Stay tuned with us on geeksultd.com for more real-time updates on AMC and Bob Odenkirk.
