FX's The Americans

[Sawyer]

Deadline:

FX Greenlights Drama Pilot About 1980s KGB Spies Posing As U.S. Suburbanites
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

FX has greenlighted its next pilot, The Americans, a period drama created/executive produced by Joe Weisberg (Falling Skies) and executive produced by Justified showrunner Graham Yost. The project centers on two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington, DC in the early 1980s. The arranged marriage of Phillip and Elizabeth Jennings grows more passionate and genuine by the day but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War and the intimate, dangerous and darkly funny relationships they must maintain with a network of spies and informants under their control. Complicating their relationship further is Phillip’s growing sense of affinity for America’s values and way of life and the couple’s two children, who know nothing about their parents’ true identity. “Joe Weisberg has written one of the best pilot scripts we have ever read with two richly drawn and indelible characters embarking on an epically exciting, emotional, and morally complex journey,” FX’s EVP original programming Nick Grad said.

The Americans has been laid off at Fox TV Studios, which will produce the pilot with FX Prods. DreamWorks TV is executive producing alongside Weisberg and Yost. The project originated with an idea by DreamWorks TV toppers Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, who pitched it to Weisberg, a writer on the company’s TNT series Falling Skies, with whom DreamWorks TV had developed another drama project at FX. Weisberg, a former CIA officer-turned-novelist-turned-TV writer, developed the concept with Yost on board to supervise the script. Yost, who has a longstanding relationship with DreamWorks TV via his work on the HBO miniseries Band Of Brothers and The Pacific, had also supervised Weisberg’s previous FX/DWTV script. And Yost, of course, has close ties with FX through Justified. Weisberg and Yost are repped by CAA, which helped first get them together with DreamWorks TV, also repped there at the time. DreamWorks TV is now at WME, which handled The Americans, splitting the package with CAA.

American couple Ethel and Julius Rosenberg remain two of the strongest symbols of the Cold War. The duo, who lived in New York with their two kids, were arrested in 1950 and, after a quick trial, were convicted of passing secrets to the Soviets, sentenced to death and later executed. After seemingly headed to the vaults of Cold War lore, the concept of Russian spies came back to the forefront last year when the FBI arrested 10 alleged deep-cover Russian agents. At the time, one of the Cold War’s most famous defectors, Oleg Gordievsky, claimed that Russia may have as many as 50 deep-cover couples still spying inside the U.S.

In addition to The Americans, Weisberg has an untitled CIA drama set up at Fox with Paul Greengrass executive producing and Imagine TV and 20th TV producing. The pickup of The Americans comes on the heels of FX passing on one of its two existing drama pilots, Outlaw Country, and keeping the other, Powers, for redevelopment and reshoots.

Deadline:

Gavin O’Connor To Direct FX Cold War Drama Pilot ‘The Americans’
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

EXCLUSIVE: In a rare TV directing gig, The Warrior helmer Gavin O’Connor has been tapped to direct FX’s Cold War period drama pilot The Americans. The project, created/executive produced by Joe Weisberg (Falling Skies) and executive produced by Justified showrunner Graham Yost, centers on two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington, DC in the early 1980s. Weisberg, a former CIA officer-turned-novelist-turned-TV writer, Yost and DreamWorks TV’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are executive producing for Fox TV Studios and FX Prods. CAA-repped O’Connor’s latest feature, Warrior has been garnering accolades for co-star Nick Nolte, including an Oscar nomination.

I've had yet to see Warrior, but I've heard nothing but good things, so this seems like a good match. I love the concept.

 

[Marvolo]

It's from FX so I'll certainly give it a try.

 

[Mogwai]

This sounds great, actually!

 

[Shifty]

Hope it works out, love the concept and for some reason it seems right for a period drama in the 1980s after other shows tried the 1960s and failed.

 

[Mogwai]

Yeah, it's time to see the 80s on TV. Such a great time for culture and world politics.

 

[Crockett]

Keri Russell has landed the lead female role.

http://www.tvline.com/2012/03/keri-russell-the-americans/

 

[Shifty]

Almost would've liked to have seen unknowns in the leads but satisfied with Russell's casting. With Powers in limbo I wonder if FX will get this out in the fall or wait until early 2013.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I liked the sound of this when it was first mentioned on those studio pilot season potential lists. Keri Russell is solid casting.

 

[Prison Mike]

I'm looking forward to this show!

 

[Sawyer]

TV Line:

Brothers & Sisters Alum Matthew Rhys Cast Opposite Keri Russell in FX's The Americans

Brothers & Sisters grad Matthew Rhys has landed the male lead opposite Keri Russell in FX’s The Americans, an hour-long drama pilot from Joe Weisberg (Falling Skies) and Graham Yost (Justified).

The ambitious project is set in the early ’80s and centers on two KGB spies, Phillip (Rhys) and Elizabeth (Russell), posing as married Americans in suburban Washington, DC. Despite their arranged union, the couple’s bond grows more passionate and genuine by the day, but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War.

Complicating their relationship further is Phillip’s growing sense of affinity for America’s values and way of life and the couple’s two children, who know nothing about their parents’ true identity.

This marks Rhys’ first major TV gig since Brothers & Sisters ended its five-year run on ABC last May.

Never saw much of Brothers and Sisters, but I hope he's good.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Oh man, for some reason I thought this was set in the 50s-60s.

I can't stand 80s fashion. Even Keri can't make shoulderpads and three bottles of hairspray look good.

 

[Sawyer]

Eh. I think they could concievably dodge the more horrific 80s trends, if they wanted to. I mean, surely not everyone wore that ugly crap................ right?

 

[KenK]

Who's playing Anna Chapman?!?!? t:

 

[Sawyer]

Forgot to post this one...

Noah Emmerich Set For ‘The Americans’ Pilot, In Negotiations For ‘Blood Ties’ Movie
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

Noah Emmerich has closed a deal to co-star opposite Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys in FX‘s 1980s drama pilot The Americans. Additionally, he is in negotiations to join the cast of another period project, the Guillaume Canet-directed 1970s thriller Blood Ties starring Clive Owen and Billy Crudup. The Americans, from creator Joe Weisberg, producer Graham Yost, director Gavin O’Connor, Fox TV Studios and DreamWorks TV, centers on two KGB spies (Russell, Rhys) posing as Americans in suburban Washington DC in the early 1980s. Emmerich will play their new neighbor, an FBI counter-intelligence agent who grows suspicious of the couple next door. Blood Ties follows a guy (Crudup) who asks his convict older brother (Owen) to return to the underworld in order to help their family. Emmerich, repped by Gersh and Brillstein Entertainment, will play a man who straddles the good and the dark side. He joins previously cast Marion Cotillard, Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis, and James Caan.

http://www.deadline.com/2012/03/noa...s-pilot-in-negotiations-for-blood-ties-movie/

 

[MadVillainy]

Any news when this will air?

 

[Shifty]

Well it hasn't been picked up officially yet but of all the pilots in development at FX it has the best shot as Powers still hasn't moved forward. They'll probably make a decision soon and then it would likely air in February or spring 2013.

Might get renamed, not sure if the network would want 'The Americans' and 'American Horror Story'.

 

[Shifty]

Deadline:

FX’s Cold War Drama ‘The Americans’ Gets Series Order
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

FX has picked up its drama pilot The Americans to series with a 13-episode order. The series, starring Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys and Noah Emmerich, will begin production in October for a premiere in early 2013.

Created by Joe Weisberg, is a period drama about the complex marriage of two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington DC shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President. The arranged marriage of Phillip (Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Russell), who have two children who know nothing about their parents true identity, grows more passionate and genuine by the day, but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War and the intimate, dangerous and darkly funny relationships they must maintain with a network of spies and informants under their control. Complicating their relationship further is Phillip’s growing sense of affinity for America’s values and way of life. Tensions also heighten upon the arrival of a new neighbor, Stan (Emmerich), an FBI agent working in counter intelligence. “We’re proud to welcome The Americans, a taught series that crackles with incredible performances rooted in character perspectives never explored on a U.S. television series, to FX’s line up of quality dramas,” said FX president Landgraf. “We’re equally excited to welcome Graham Yost’s talented young Padawan Joe Weisberg as Creator/Showrunner. He joins a long line of gifted writer/producers who have taken their first shot at greatness on FX.”

Weisberg is Executive Producer/Showrunner, alongside Executive Producer Graham Yost. Gavin O’Connor directed the Pilot episode of The Americans. Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey of DreamWorks Television, who initially approached Weisberg with the idea, also exec produce. The Americans is co-produced by Fox TV Studios and FX Prods.

Looking forward to it!

 

[MadVillainy]

Nice

 

[Crockett]

Excellent news, can't wait.

Here's some promo pics.

http://www.spoilertv.com/2012/08/the-americans-first-look-promotional.html

 

[MadVillainy]

Love me some Keri Russell

 

[Sawyer]

I can't wait!

 

[Sawyer]

I wonder how long until we get some teaser/promo stuff.

 

[Sawyer]

Just saw a short promo with AHS.

 

[flickchick85]

Very much looking forward to this show.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Just saw a short promo with AHS.

Don't post about a promo without having the actual promo you rapscallion!