EXCLUSIVE: Seven actors have been added to the cast of American Classic, MGM+’s upcoming half-hour comedy series from creators Michael Hoffman (Soapdish, Restoration, The Last Station) and Bob Martin (The Prom, Slings and Arrows).
The series from Fifth Season, with Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story and Anonymous Content producing, begins production in New Jersey this summer. It’s the second half-hour comedy series in MGM+’s history after 2016’s Graves that started Nick Nolte.
American Classic centers on Broadway star and notorious narcissist Richard Bean (Kevin Kline), who suffers a spectacular public meltdown and returns to his hometown and the family-run theater where he first became aware of his own brilliance. When he arrives, he is shocked to discover that his father, the former artistic director, has lost a step and that the once-respected theater, now run by his brother Jon (Jon Tenney) and his wife (Laura Linney) has become, by necessity, a low-rent dinner theater serving roast beef and murder mysteries. He decides to save the town, the theater, and the world by presenting a great American classic on the dinner theater stage, directed by and starring himself.
Harris Yulin will play Linus Bean, Richard and Jon’s father, an actor, a puppet maker, and the founder of the Millersburg Festival Theater. Jane Alexander will play Ethel Bean, Linus’ wife and Richard and Jon’s mother. Linus and Ethel built the Millersburg Festival Theater together and made it into the pride and joy of their family and the community.
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Jessica Hecht will play Polly, Richard’s ex-wife and the most expensive designer on Broadway. She and Richard (Kline) have managed, despite the crippling alimony he pays her, to remain friends.
Nell Verlaque will play Miranda Bean, the 18-year-old daughter of Kristen (Linney) and Jon (Tenney). Nell is represented by Innovative Artists and Anonymous Content.
Billy Carter will play Connor Boyle, a real estate developer and self-appointed savior of Millersburg.
Elise Kibler will play Nadia Romanova, whose dream is to become an actress, and her boyfriend Connor Boyle will do whatever it takes to make that happen. She is obsessed with Richard Bean. Kibler is represented by CESD, Stapleview, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora &
Clark, Inc.
Ajay Friese will play Randall Potts, Miranda’s boyfriend who grew up with her in Millersburg. Friese is represented by The Characters Talent Agency and Link Entertainment.
American Classic had been in the works at MGM+ for more than three years; it was announced as part of the development slate of the platform (then named Epix) on February 3, 2022.