EXCLUSIVE: Before Emmy nominee Harris Yulin died on June 10, he had been cast in a leading role in MGM+‘s upcoming comedy series American Classic, starring opposite Kevin Kline, Jon Tenney, and Laura Linney. Now, the role of Linus Bean will be played by Len Cariou (Blue Bloods, About Schmidt).
Additionally, Sean Dino Johnson, Johnny McKeown, Phillip Johnson Richardson, Billy Eugene Jones, Andrea Jones-Sojola, Yaegal T. Welch, Joseph Morales, Matt McGrath, and Terry Walters will appear in recurring roles.
From co-creators Michael Hoffman and Bob Martin, American Classic is an 8-episode series that centers on Broadway star and notorious narcissist Richard Bean (Kline), who suffers a spectacular public meltdown and returns to his hometown and the family-run theater where he first became aware of his brilliance. When he arrives, he is shocked to discover that his father Linus Bean (Cariou), the former artistic director, has lost a step and that the once-respected theater, now run by his brother Jon (Tenney), and his wife (Linney), now the town’s mayor, 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, of course, Richard Bean.
Cariou will play Linus, Richard and Jon’s father, an actor, a puppet maker, and the founder of the Millersburg Festival Theater. His wife and mother to Richard and Jon is Ethel Bean (Jane Alexander).
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Johnson will play Clarence/Joe Crowell. He works two jobs and loves the MFT, and wants to be a part of Our Town, but is worried about how it will affect his livelihood. He wants to be a part of something bigger than himself.
McKeown as Hugo Booth, Richard’s assistant from New York City. He is devoted to Richard and hopes to protect him against his most powerful foibles. At the same time, there is only so much he can do.
Johnson Richardson as Heath McCardle, a member of the touring company performing in Nunsence at the MFT. He’s a real heartthrob, and Miranda (Nell Verlaque) immediately takes notice of him. So does Richard, as he starts to cast his production of Our Town. He hires Heath to play George. Randall Potts (Ajay Friese) is deeply threatened by Heath, but who the latter ends up with is a surprise to everyone.
Jones as Mr. Pat Paterson, who married his wife, Pat, just out of high school, and now works as an accountant for a failing medical supply firm. He is resistant to the theatre, but joins the cast of Our Town for the sake of his marriage. When his relationship goes south, he blames Richard and the play and becomes aligned with Boyle (Billy Carter) and the ‘developer’ faction.
Jones-Sojola as Mrs. Pat Paterson, who is thrilled to be a part of the production of Our Town. She is excited to finally have something to fulfill her emotionally. Her marriage is quite obviously troubled, and she hopes the play might supply some of what she is missing in life.
Welch as Dr. Derek Seale, the town obstetrician who is most comfortable when handing out medical advice, something Richard and the cast often take advantage of.
Morales as Jeff Jeffries, a loan officer at the local bank who has been working with Kristen and Jon for years. He’s not a man of the theater, but once he’s got a taste, he can’t get enough.
McGrath as Kenny Klaus, the town’s undertaker, who is old enough to remember seeing Richard and Kristen in Our Town. He is a massive fan of Richard (has followed his whole career), and of the theatre in general, and is honored to be able to be a part of Ethel’s funeral.
Walters as Tina/Mrs. Gibbs, a local community member who takes over the role of Mrs. Gibbs when Mrs. Pat runs away. She participates in a lot of local town activities.
The previously announced cast also includes Jessica Hecht as Polly and Elise Kibler as Nadia Romanova.
Hoffman, Martin, and Ellen Fairey serve as executive producers alongside non-writing EPs Kline, Leslie Urdang, Anthony Bregman, as well as Miriam Mintz, David Levine, and Garrett Kemble for Anonymous Content, and co-EP Tenney. Kevin Cotter will serve as co-producer. Fifth Season is the studio, with Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story, and Anonymous Content producing.
The series is scheduled to go into production in 2025 in New Jersey.
Cariou is repped by is represented by Paradigm and Alan Siegel Entertainment; Johnson is represented by Buchwald and Black Bear; Jones-Sojola is repped by Station 3 Entertainment; Welch is repped by Nicolosi & Co.