For the first time since her acclaimed Netflix seriesOzarkconcluded,Laura Linneyis returning to TV. The four-time Emmy winner will star oppositeKevin Klinein the new comedy seriesAmerican Classic. The MGM+ series will begin production in New Jersey this summer.
Kline will star in the series as Richard Bean, a temperamental and egotistical Broadway legend who has a public meltdown and retreats to his hometown, Millersburg, where his family ran a well-regarded theater. Once he gets back, however, he finds that the once-respected playhouse has fallen on hard times, and is now running low-rent dinner theater. His brother Jon (Jon Tenney,The Closer) runs the theater with his wife, Kristen (Linney), who is also the small town’s mayor. Richard has a complicated history with Kristen: decades ago, they were in love, and tried to achieve Broadway stardom together. However, she tired of his selfishness and retreated back to Millersburg, where she married his brother and raised a family. Richard is determined to put the theater back on the map, and plans to mount a new production of an American classic, directed by and starring himself. Hilarity, of course, ensues.
What Has Laura Linney Starred in Recently?
The gritty crime dramaOzarkwas Linney’s primary concern for its four-season run; it was a huge success for Netflix, and netted Linney three Emmy nominations. She was also a co-executive producer on the series for its fourth and final season, and made her directorial debut with the fourth-season episode “Pound of Flesh and Still Kickin'.” She has also directed two episodes of the upcoming Netflix miniseriesBlack Rabbit, which will reunite her withOzarkco-starJason Bateman. She recently starred in the filmsThe Miracle Club,Wildcat, andSuncoast, and voicedJoanne WoodwardinEthan Hawke’s documentary miniseriesThe Last Movie Stars, about Woodward and husbandPaul Newman. She also made a brief return to Broadway, starring inSummer, 1976alongsideJessica Hechtin 2023. She is also a producer on the current Broadway production ofGutenberg! The Musical!
American Classicwas created byMichael Hoffman(The Last Station) andBob Martin(Slings and Arrows). Hoffman, Martin, andEllen Faireywill executive produce the series with Kline,Leslie Urdang,Anthony Bregman, andMiriam Mintz,David Levine, andGarrett Kemblefor Anonymous Content. Tenney co-executive produces;Kevin Cotterco-produces. It is a production of Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story and Anonymous Content.
American Classicwill begin production this summer;no release date has yet been announced. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
