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Laura Linney has joined the cast of the upcoming MGM+ comedy series “American Classic,” Variety has learned.
Linney will star in the series alongside previously announced cast members Kevin Kline and Joe Tenney. It is slated to begin production in New Jersey this summer.
The official description states that the show “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 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 (Tenney) and his wife (Linney) has become, by necessity, a low-rent dinner theater serving roast beef and murder mysteries,” the description continues. “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.”
Linney’s character is named Kristen Forrest Bean, “who grew up acting in the Millersburg Festival Theater founded and run by the Bean family,” per the character description. “Kristen fell in love with Richard Bean at age 19 and ran off with him to try to make it in NY. Once there, Richard’s egotism served him better than Kristen’s quiet intensity and it was his career that took off. Kristen became increasingly frustrated and finally packed up and went home to Millersburg – Where she eventually married Richard’s younger brother, Jon, and had their daughter Miranda. As the recently appointed Mayor of Millersburg, Kristen directs her passion as well as her strong practical side toward helping to keep the family theater alive.”
Linney is one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation. Her most recent TV job was a starring role in the hit Netflix crime drama “Ozark,” on which she played Wendy Byrde throughout show’s four-season run. Her work on the show earned her four Emmy nominations — three for best actress in a drama and one as part of the producing team when the got the nod for best drama series. Linney has received five other Emmy nominations in her career with three wins — one for the TV movie “Wild Iris,” one for “The Big C,” and one for the HBO miniseries “John Adams.” She also won Golden Globes for both “The Big C” and “John Adams.” In film, Linney is a three-time Oscar nominee for the movies “You Can Count on Me,” “Kinsey,” and “The Savages.”
She is repped by CAA, Lighthouse Management & Media, and Yorn Levine Barnes.
“American Classic” hails from co-creators Michael Hoffman and Bon Martin. Hoffman will direct the pilot episode and executive produce alongside Martin and Ellen Fairey. Kline is also an executive producer along with Leslie Urdang, Anthony Bregman, and 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.
