Network: AMC
Episodes: Ongoing (hour)
Seasons: Ongoing
TV show dates: March 31, 2024 -- present
Series status: Has not been cancelled
Performers include: Giancarlo Esposito, Zackary Momoh, Paula Malcomson, Skeet Ulrich, Bonnie Mbuli, Ivan Mbakop, Arica Himmel, and Dax Rey.
TV show description:
A crime drama series, the Parish TV show is based on The Driver, a BBC series by Danny Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera developed this new series.
In the story, Gracian “Gray” Parish (Esposito) is a good man with a troubled past who gave up his life of crime for life as a family man in New Orleans. After his son is violently murdered and his luxury car service business collapses, an encounter with an old friend from his days as...
Episodes: Ongoing (hour)
Seasons: Ongoing
TV show dates: March 31, 2024 -- present
Series status: Has not been cancelled
Performers include: Giancarlo Esposito, Zackary Momoh, Paula Malcomson, Skeet Ulrich, Bonnie Mbuli, Ivan Mbakop, Arica Himmel, and Dax Rey.
TV show description:
A crime drama series, the Parish TV show is based on The Driver, a BBC series by Danny Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera developed this new series.
In the story, Gracian “Gray” Parish (Esposito) is a good man with a troubled past who gave up his life of crime for life as a family man in New Orleans. After his son is violently murdered and his luxury car service business collapses, an encounter with an old friend from his days as...
- 4/1/2024
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Peak TV may have peaked, but there’s still enough overwhelming volume on the small screen that I was able to watch AMC’s Parish while pondering a very niche-y question: Was this the best American cable adaptation of a far more efficient British drama about a guilt-stricken father, played by a star of Breaking Bad, leaving a life of comfortable legitimacy to wallow in a New Orleans criminal underbelly overseen by a member of the cast of Steven Spielberg’s The Post?
For what it’s worth, I think I preferred Showtime’s Your Honor, but I don’t want to make it sound like this new six-part thriller is derivative of only one specific show when it’s actually derivative of an entire fourth or fifth wave of already derivative prestige dramas — in AMC terms, more Low Winter Sun than The Killing, much less Breaking Bad.
While it...
For what it’s worth, I think I preferred Showtime’s Your Honor, but I don’t want to make it sound like this new six-part thriller is derivative of only one specific show when it’s actually derivative of an entire fourth or fifth wave of already derivative prestige dramas — in AMC terms, more Low Winter Sun than The Killing, much less Breaking Bad.
While it...
- 3/29/2024
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Giancarlo Esposito has had many iconic roles — Buggin’ Out, Mike Giardello, El Presidente — but only one is associated with AMC: Breaking Bad drug kingpin Gus Fring. It’s tempting to bring up that show when talking about Parish, a new crime drama on the same network, but that would set expectations unfairly high. Adapted from the U.K. series The Driver by co-creator Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera (who directed at least one episode and co-wrote others before he was ousted following an internal investigation of “serious allegations”), the story has moved to AMC’s recent stomping grounds of New Orleans and extended itself from three episodes to six.
- 3/25/2024
- by Devan Suber
- Primetimer
Since FX moved under the Disney umbrella in 2019, it has sometimes been difficult to find its programming; I’m a professional and I’m often stymied when it comes to which FX shows actually air on FX and which are Hulu exclusives. But FX shows have still felt like FX shows.
The new FX-produced drama Class of ’09 is a puzzlement. One of those Hulu-only offerings, Class of ’09 surely has the air and aura of an FX show, from its sturdy, cinematic production values to a cast topped by FX veterans Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) and Kate Mara (A Teacher) to its creation by writer Tom Rob Smith (The Assassination of Gianni Versace). But what it feels like? Well, it feels like a broadcast TV show from a decade ago — specifically like ABC’s Quantico, a drama remembered largely by Priyanka Chopra Jonas devotees.
Quantico, which ran three seasons,...
The new FX-produced drama Class of ’09 is a puzzlement. One of those Hulu-only offerings, Class of ’09 surely has the air and aura of an FX show, from its sturdy, cinematic production values to a cast topped by FX veterans Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) and Kate Mara (A Teacher) to its creation by writer Tom Rob Smith (The Assassination of Gianni Versace). But what it feels like? Well, it feels like a broadcast TV show from a decade ago — specifically like ABC’s Quantico, a drama remembered largely by Priyanka Chopra Jonas devotees.
Quantico, which ran three seasons,...
- 5/9/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Christine Holder and Mark Holder are no longer executive producers of the new CBS drama series East New York, from Warner Bros Television.
The studio would not comment, but according to sources, the duo was let go after Wbtv conducted an investigation into allegations against Christine Holder involving inappropriate advances toward a crew member.
Related Story ‘Parish’ Co-Creator/EP Sunu Gonera Out After Sexual Misconduct Investigation Related Story 'Ghosts' Conjures Tara Reid As Guest Star To Reunite With Trevor Related Story 'FBI' Announces Missy Peregrym's Return Date
Sources close to Christine Holder indicate that she has been struggling with mental health issues that likely played a key role in her behavioral problems, though I hear that was never brought up during Wbtv’s probe that led to her and Mark Holder’s termination last week. Christine Holder, a mother of four, is said to be undergoing treatment.
The studio would not comment, but according to sources, the duo was let go after Wbtv conducted an investigation into allegations against Christine Holder involving inappropriate advances toward a crew member.
Related Story ‘Parish’ Co-Creator/EP Sunu Gonera Out After Sexual Misconduct Investigation Related Story 'Ghosts' Conjures Tara Reid As Guest Star To Reunite With Trevor Related Story 'FBI' Announces Missy Peregrym's Return Date
Sources close to Christine Holder indicate that she has been struggling with mental health issues that likely played a key role in her behavioral problems, though I hear that was never brought up during Wbtv’s probe that led to her and Mark Holder’s termination last week. Christine Holder, a mother of four, is said to be undergoing treatment.
- 10/25/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Sunu Gonera, co-creator and executive producer of AMC’s upcoming drama series “Parish,” has been removed from the project following an internal investigation into “very serious allegations” against him.
“We recently became aware of some very serious allegations against an individual working on this production, who was immediately suspended and then terminated at the conclusion of an internal investigation,” AMC told Variety in a statement.
Deadline reported on Monday afternoon that “according to multiple sources, the allegation was of sexual assault over an incident that occurred in late September at an off-set apartment outside of production hours.”
Variety confirmed that A3 Artists no longer represents Gonera as a client. Thruline Entertainment, Gonera’s management, declined to comment.
Gonera co-created “Parish” with Danny Brocklehurst based on a U.K. format by Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Theo Travers serves as showrunner, and Gonera directed the pilot. Giancarlo Esposito stars as a taxi...
“We recently became aware of some very serious allegations against an individual working on this production, who was immediately suspended and then terminated at the conclusion of an internal investigation,” AMC told Variety in a statement.
Deadline reported on Monday afternoon that “according to multiple sources, the allegation was of sexual assault over an incident that occurred in late September at an off-set apartment outside of production hours.”
Variety confirmed that A3 Artists no longer represents Gonera as a client. Thruline Entertainment, Gonera’s management, declined to comment.
Gonera co-created “Parish” with Danny Brocklehurst based on a U.K. format by Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Theo Travers serves as showrunner, and Gonera directed the pilot. Giancarlo Esposito stars as a taxi...
- 10/24/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
AMC Networks has fired Sunu Gonera, the co-creator of drama series “Parish,” after a sexual misconduct investigation, an individual with knowledge confirmed to TheWrap on Monday.
“We recently became aware of some very serious allegations against an individual working on this production, who was immediately suspended and then terminated at the conclusion of an internal investigation,” an AMC Network spokesperson said in a statement to TheWrap.
According to Deadline, which broke the story, the incident in question occurred in September between Gonera and a woman who wasn’t employed by AMC Networks in an apartment located off of the set and outside of the production’s hours.
Also Read:
‘Yellowstone’ on the Big Screen: AMC Partners with Taylor Sheridan to Preview New Season
Sources told the trade the woman was a longtime employee of Gonera’s and that they lived together in the off-set apartment. She reportedly informed AMC that...
“We recently became aware of some very serious allegations against an individual working on this production, who was immediately suspended and then terminated at the conclusion of an internal investigation,” an AMC Network spokesperson said in a statement to TheWrap.
According to Deadline, which broke the story, the incident in question occurred in September between Gonera and a woman who wasn’t employed by AMC Networks in an apartment located off of the set and outside of the production’s hours.
Also Read:
‘Yellowstone’ on the Big Screen: AMC Partners with Taylor Sheridan to Preview New Season
Sources told the trade the woman was a longtime employee of Gonera’s and that they lived together in the off-set apartment. She reportedly informed AMC that...
- 10/24/2022
- by Jethro Nededog
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Sunu Gonera has been let go from AMC Networks’ series Parish, on which he was co-creator, executive producer and director.
“We recently became aware of some very serious allegations against an individual working on this production, who was immediately suspended and then terminated at the conclusion of an internal investigation,” a spokesman for AMC Networks said in a statement to Deadline, declining further comment.
Related Story Bradley Whitford Joins AMC Series 'Parish' As Recurring Related Story 'East New York' EPs Christine & Mark Holder Exit CBS Series Related Story Julianne Moore To Lead Sky & AMC Period Drama 'Mary & George' About Mary Villiers, Son George & Royal Court Intrigue In Jacobean England — Mipcom Cannes
According to multiple sources, the allegation was of sexual assault over an incident that occurred in late September at an off-set apartment outside of production hours on the series starring Giancarlo Esposito, which is filming in New Orleans.
“We recently became aware of some very serious allegations against an individual working on this production, who was immediately suspended and then terminated at the conclusion of an internal investigation,” a spokesman for AMC Networks said in a statement to Deadline, declining further comment.
Related Story Bradley Whitford Joins AMC Series 'Parish' As Recurring Related Story 'East New York' EPs Christine & Mark Holder Exit CBS Series Related Story Julianne Moore To Lead Sky & AMC Period Drama 'Mary & George' About Mary Villiers, Son George & Royal Court Intrigue In Jacobean England — Mipcom Cannes
According to multiple sources, the allegation was of sexual assault over an incident that occurred in late September at an off-set apartment outside of production hours on the series starring Giancarlo Esposito, which is filming in New Orleans.
- 10/24/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Emmy winner Bradley Whitford has signed on for a key recurring role in Parish (fka The Driver), AMC’s remake of the British drama series that is set to launch next year on AMC and AMC+. Production is currently underway in New Orleans.
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as Gracián “Gray” Parish, a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Whitford plays Anton, the charming and intelligent face of industrial business in Louisiana who covertly heads a criminal organization. His dispute with a Zimbabwean human trafficking ring puts him at direct odds with Esposito’s Gracián Parish.
Previously announced cast also includes Zachary Momoh as The Horse, Paula Malcomson as Ros, Skeet Ulrich as Colin,...
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as Gracián “Gray” Parish, a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Whitford plays Anton, the charming and intelligent face of industrial business in Louisiana who covertly heads a criminal organization. His dispute with a Zimbabwean human trafficking ring puts him at direct odds with Esposito’s Gracián Parish.
Previously announced cast also includes Zachary Momoh as The Horse, Paula Malcomson as Ros, Skeet Ulrich as Colin,...
- 9/21/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale) is set for a key recurring role opposite Giancarlo Esposito and Skeet Ulrich in The Driver, AMC’s remake of the British drama series that is set to launch next year on AMC and AMC+.
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as Vince, a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer the New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster “The Horse” (Zackary Momoh), a man notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Brugel will recur as Sister Anne. Unlike any nun we’ve ever seen before – she’s tatted up. While her appearance is different, she is completely devoted to God and her Order. Her past with Vince (Esposito) is mysterious and she continues to be his confidant when life gets tough.
Paula Malcomson and Bonnie Mbuli also star.
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as Vince, a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer the New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster “The Horse” (Zackary Momoh), a man notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Brugel will recur as Sister Anne. Unlike any nun we’ve ever seen before – she’s tatted up. While her appearance is different, she is completely devoted to God and her Order. Her past with Vince (Esposito) is mysterious and she continues to be his confidant when life gets tough.
Paula Malcomson and Bonnie Mbuli also star.
- 9/14/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Skeet Ulrich is set as a lead opposite Giancarlo Esposito in The Driver, AMC’s remake of the British drama series that is set to launch next year on AMC and AMC+.
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as Vince, a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer the New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster “The Horse” (Zackary Momoh), a man notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Ulrich will play Colin, an old acquaintance of Vince (Esposito). It’s a version of the character played by Ian Hart in the original series.
Paula Malcomson and Bonnie Mbuli also star.
Esposito, Gonera, Brocklehurst, David Morrissey, who played Vince in the original, and Travers executive produce alongside Josh Kesselman and Danny Sherman from Thruline and A+E Studios’ Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson.
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as Vince, a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer the New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster “The Horse” (Zackary Momoh), a man notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Ulrich will play Colin, an old acquaintance of Vince (Esposito). It’s a version of the character played by Ian Hart in the original series.
Paula Malcomson and Bonnie Mbuli also star.
Esposito, Gonera, Brocklehurst, David Morrissey, who played Vince in the original, and Travers executive produce alongside Josh Kesselman and Danny Sherman from Thruline and A+E Studios’ Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson.
- 8/2/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Bonnie Mbuli (Noughts + Crosses) is set to star alongside Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul) and Paula Malcomson (Ray Donovan) in AMC‘s upcoming drama series The Driver. The series is a remake of the BBC drama of the same name and revolves around a taxi driver (Esposito) whose life is turned upside when he agrees to chauffeur the New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster “The Horse” (Zackary Momoh), notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at U.S. southern ports. According to Deadline, Mbuli will play Shamiso Tongai, the Horse’s smart older sister. She is protective of her family’s operations, which she is closely involved with, and doesn’t trust strangers easily. Her role is said to become more powerful as the story progresses. The six-part series comes from Danny Brocklehurst (Safe) and Sunu Gonera (Snowfall), with Theo Travers (Billions) serving as showrunner. It is based on the original British series...
- 8/2/2022
- TV Insider
Exclusive: Bonnie Mbuli (Invictus) has been cast as a series regular opposite Giancarlo Esposito and Paula Malcomson in The Driver, AMC’s remake of the British drama series that is set to launch next year on AMC and AMC+.
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as Vince, a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer the New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster “The Horse” (Zackary Momoh), a man notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
2022 AMC Pilot & Series Orders
Mbuli will play Shamiso Tongai, the Horse’s smart older sister. She’s wary of strangers and protective of her family’s operation, which she’s intricately involved in with a voice that becomes more powerful as the story progresses.
Esposito, Gonera, Brocklehurst, David Morrissey and Travers will executive produce...
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as Vince, a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer the New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster “The Horse” (Zackary Momoh), a man notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
2022 AMC Pilot & Series Orders
Mbuli will play Shamiso Tongai, the Horse’s smart older sister. She’s wary of strangers and protective of her family’s operation, which she’s intricately involved in with a voice that becomes more powerful as the story progresses.
Esposito, Gonera, Brocklehurst, David Morrissey and Travers will executive produce...
- 8/1/2022
- by Sofia Behzadi
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
AMC’s upcoming remake of British drama The Driver has bulked out its cast with three new additions, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Actor and filmmaker Ivan Mbakop, who starred in Netflix’s Red Notice and played Detective Caudle in Marvel’s Hawkeye mini-series, has joined the six-part series, alongside Arica Himmel, who played a teenage Rainbow Johnson in ABC’s Black-ish prequel spin-off Mixed-ish and has just wrapped shooting a lead role in Disney+ rom-com feature Prom Pact, and youngster Dax Rey, who starred alongside Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes in Netflix limited series True Story and Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris in Apple TV+ feature Swan Song.
The three join Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), Zackary Momoh (Doctor Sleep, Harriet) and Paula Malcomson (Redemption).
Set to launch on AMC and AMC+ and due to go into production in August,...
AMC’s upcoming remake of British drama The Driver has bulked out its cast with three new additions, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Actor and filmmaker Ivan Mbakop, who starred in Netflix’s Red Notice and played Detective Caudle in Marvel’s Hawkeye mini-series, has joined the six-part series, alongside Arica Himmel, who played a teenage Rainbow Johnson in ABC’s Black-ish prequel spin-off Mixed-ish and has just wrapped shooting a lead role in Disney+ rom-com feature Prom Pact, and youngster Dax Rey, who starred alongside Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes in Netflix limited series True Story and Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris in Apple TV+ feature Swan Song.
The three join Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), Zackary Momoh (Doctor Sleep, Harriet) and Paula Malcomson (Redemption).
Set to launch on AMC and AMC+ and due to go into production in August,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Zackary Momoh, who plays Dr. Horatio Cousens in the HBO sci-fi drama The Nevers, has landed a lead role in the upcoming AMC remake of the British drama The Driver. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Momoh will play a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at U.S. southern ports. He stars opposite Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), who plays a taxi driver whose life is turned upside when he agrees to chauffeur Momoh’s dangerous and intimidating character. Paula Malcomson (Redemption) also stars as a series regular. The six-part series comes from Danny Brocklehurst (Safe) and Sunu Gonera (Snowfall), with Theo Travers (Billions) serving as showrunner. It is based on the 2014 BBC series created by Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser, which followed David Morrissey (The Walking Dead) as a taxi driver employed by a criminal gang. Production on the series is slated to start in August and...
- 7/18/2022
- TV Insider
Click here to read the full article.
Doctor Sleep, Harriet and The Nevers star Zackary Momoh is set to take a ride in AMC’s remake of British drama The Driver, joining the series in a lead role, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Set to launch on AMC and AMC+ and due to go into production in August, the six-part U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst (Safe, Come Home) and Sunu Gonera (Snowfall, Class of ’09), with Theo Travers (Billions, House of Lies) set as showrunner.
The drama stars Giancarlo Esposito as a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffeur a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster, played by Momoh, and a man notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at U.S. southern ports. Paula Malcomson (Redemption) has also been cast as a series regular.
The three-part 2014 BBC original, created by Brocklehurst with Jim Poyser and...
Doctor Sleep, Harriet and The Nevers star Zackary Momoh is set to take a ride in AMC’s remake of British drama The Driver, joining the series in a lead role, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Set to launch on AMC and AMC+ and due to go into production in August, the six-part U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst (Safe, Come Home) and Sunu Gonera (Snowfall, Class of ’09), with Theo Travers (Billions, House of Lies) set as showrunner.
The drama stars Giancarlo Esposito as a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffeur a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster, played by Momoh, and a man notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at U.S. southern ports. Paula Malcomson (Redemption) has also been cast as a series regular.
The three-part 2014 BBC original, created by Brocklehurst with Jim Poyser and...
- 7/18/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Paula Malcomson (Redemption) is set as a series regular opposite Giancarlo Esposito in The Driver, AMC’s remake of the British drama series.
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Malcomson will play Ros.
The 2014 British series similarly followed star David Morrissey as cabbie whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to be the driver for a criminal gang.
The AMC series was created by Brocklehurst, who created the original with Jim Poyser, and Sunu Gonera, who has directed FX’s Snowfall and Class of ’09. Gonera will direct the pilot episode, while Billions and House of Lies writer Travers will serve as showrunner.
Esposito,...
The U.S. series comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers. It stars Esposito as a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Malcomson will play Ros.
The 2014 British series similarly followed star David Morrissey as cabbie whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to be the driver for a criminal gang.
The AMC series was created by Brocklehurst, who created the original with Jim Poyser, and Sunu Gonera, who has directed FX’s Snowfall and Class of ’09. Gonera will direct the pilot episode, while Billions and House of Lies writer Travers will serve as showrunner.
Esposito,...
- 6/23/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Driver is coming to AMC and Giancarlo Esposito, known for his work on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is staying on the cable channel. The upcoming drama series will follow a taxi driver (Esposito) who has his life changed when he becomes the driver of a mobster. Six episodes have been ordered.
revealed more about the upcoming series in a press release.
“AMC Networks today announced that it had greenlit a new dramatic series for 2023 starring Giancarlo Esposito, The Driver. Produced by AMC Studios, in association with A+E Studios and Thruline Entertainment, The Driver will have a six-episode first season and premiere next year on AMC+ and AMC.
Sunu Gonera (Class of 09) and Danny Brocklehurst (The Stranger) created the series based on a U.K.
revealed more about the upcoming series in a press release.
“AMC Networks today announced that it had greenlit a new dramatic series for 2023 starring Giancarlo Esposito, The Driver. Produced by AMC Studios, in association with A+E Studios and Thruline Entertainment, The Driver will have a six-episode first season and premiere next year on AMC+ and AMC.
Sunu Gonera (Class of 09) and Danny Brocklehurst (The Stranger) created the series based on a U.K.
- 3/10/2022
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Giancarlo Esposito is staying put at AMC.
AMC Networks today announced that it had greenlit a new dramatic series for 2023 starring the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star.
Produced by AMC Studios, in association with A+E Studios and Thruline Entertainment, The Driver will have a six-episode first season and premiere next year on AMC+ and AMC.
Sunu Gonera (Class of 09) and Danny Brocklehurst (The Stranger) created the series based on a U.K. format created by Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser.
Gonera and Brocklehurst reimagined the U.K. format into a one-hour drama series about a taxi driver (Esposito) whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Theo Travers (Billions) will serve as showrunner and Gonera will direct the pilot.
“Giancarlo is a singular talent who is already beloved by AMC...
AMC Networks today announced that it had greenlit a new dramatic series for 2023 starring the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star.
Produced by AMC Studios, in association with A+E Studios and Thruline Entertainment, The Driver will have a six-episode first season and premiere next year on AMC+ and AMC.
Sunu Gonera (Class of 09) and Danny Brocklehurst (The Stranger) created the series based on a U.K. format created by Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser.
Gonera and Brocklehurst reimagined the U.K. format into a one-hour drama series about a taxi driver (Esposito) whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
Theo Travers (Billions) will serve as showrunner and Gonera will direct the pilot.
“Giancarlo is a singular talent who is already beloved by AMC...
- 3/8/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Giancarlo Esposito is set to star in a new drama series at AMC.
The AMC “Breaking Bad” alum leads “The Driver,” which is due out in 2023, the network announced Tuesday.
Spanning six episodes in its first season, “The Driver” is a reimagining of the British 2014 series of the same name (which starred “Walking Dead” alum David Morrissey). Esposito will play a “taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.”
“I am over the moon excited, enthused, and inspired to be in collaboration with the stellar network and creative team of AMC! Thanks for believing in me. It’s great to be back home!” Esposito said in a statement.
Sunu Gonera and Danny Brocklehurst created the show based on the original from format from Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Theo Travers (“Billions”) is the showrunner.
The AMC “Breaking Bad” alum leads “The Driver,” which is due out in 2023, the network announced Tuesday.
Spanning six episodes in its first season, “The Driver” is a reimagining of the British 2014 series of the same name (which starred “Walking Dead” alum David Morrissey). Esposito will play a “taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.”
“I am over the moon excited, enthused, and inspired to be in collaboration with the stellar network and creative team of AMC! Thanks for believing in me. It’s great to be back home!” Esposito said in a statement.
Sunu Gonera and Danny Brocklehurst created the show based on the original from format from Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Theo Travers (“Billions”) is the showrunner.
- 3/8/2022
- by Jolie Lash
- The Wrap
Giancarlo Esposito is staying in business with AMC, with the renowned actor set to star in the newly greenlit drama series “The Driver” for the basic cabler.
The six-episode first season is based on a U.K. format created by Danny Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera developed the new series for U.S. television. It focuses on a taxi driver (Esposito) whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports. The show is slated to debut on AMC and AMC Plus in 2023.
“I am over the moon excited, enthused, and inspired to be in collaboration with the stellar network and creative team of AMC!” Esposito said. “Thanks for believing in me. It’s great to be back home!”
Esposito will executive produce “The Driver” in addition to starring. Gonera and Brocklehurst also executive produce,...
The six-episode first season is based on a U.K. format created by Danny Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera developed the new series for U.S. television. It focuses on a taxi driver (Esposito) whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports. The show is slated to debut on AMC and AMC Plus in 2023.
“I am over the moon excited, enthused, and inspired to be in collaboration with the stellar network and creative team of AMC!” Esposito said. “Thanks for believing in me. It’s great to be back home!”
Esposito will executive produce “The Driver” in addition to starring. Gonera and Brocklehurst also executive produce,...
- 3/8/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Giancarlo Esposito is making it 3-for-3 at AMC.
The Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star is set to lead The Driver for AMC.
The series, which comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers, is a remake of the BBC One three-part miniseries starring The Walking Dead’s David Morrissey.
The six-part series will launch next year on AMC and AMC+. It is produced by AMC Studios in association with A+E Studios and Thruline Entertainment.
The U.S. series stars Esposito as a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
The 2014 British series similarly followed Morrissey as cabbie whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to be the driver for a criminal gang.
The AMC series was created by Brocklehurst, who...
The Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star is set to lead The Driver for AMC.
The series, which comes from creators Danny Brocklehurst and Sunu Gonera and showrunner Theo Travers, is a remake of the BBC One three-part miniseries starring The Walking Dead’s David Morrissey.
The six-part series will launch next year on AMC and AMC+. It is produced by AMC Studios in association with A+E Studios and Thruline Entertainment.
The U.S. series stars Esposito as a taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to chauffer a New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster notorious for exploiting undocumented immigrants at the U.S. southern ports.
The 2014 British series similarly followed Morrissey as cabbie whose life is turned upside down when he agrees to be the driver for a criminal gang.
The AMC series was created by Brocklehurst, who...
- 3/8/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
FX’s upcoming limited series “Class of ’09” has added Sepideh Moafi, Brian J. Smith, Jon Jon Briones, Brooke Smith, Jake McDorman, Rosalind Eleazar and Raúl Castillo to the cast. Additionally, Sunu Gonera is set to direct the first two episodes.
The eight-episode series is a suspense thriller that spans three decades and is told across three distinct but interweaving timelines in order to examine the nature of justice, humanity and the choices people make that define their lives and legacy. One of these timelines will be the near future when the U.S. criminal justice system has been transformed by artificial intelligence.
The show follows a class of FBI agents, including previously announced stars Kate Mara as Poet, a woman who never thought she’d join the world of law enforcement and yet is at the center of a pivotal moment of transformation, and Brian Tyree Henry as Tayo,...
The eight-episode series is a suspense thriller that spans three decades and is told across three distinct but interweaving timelines in order to examine the nature of justice, humanity and the choices people make that define their lives and legacy. One of these timelines will be the near future when the U.S. criminal justice system has been transformed by artificial intelligence.
The show follows a class of FBI agents, including previously announced stars Kate Mara as Poet, a woman who never thought she’d join the world of law enforcement and yet is at the center of a pivotal moment of transformation, and Brian Tyree Henry as Tayo,...
- 11/10/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
FX’s limited series Class of ’09 has added Raúl Castillo, Jake McDorman, Sepideh Moafi, Brian J. Smith, Jon Jon Briones (Ratched), Brooke Smith (Grey’s Anatomy), and Rosalind Eleazar (Master of None) to its cast. They join previously announced leads Brian Tyree Henry and Kate Mara. Sunu Gonera is set to direct the first two episodes.
The series, which follows a class of FBI agents set in a near future where the U.S. criminal justice system has been transformed by artificial intelligence, comes from Tom Rob Smith, Nina Jacobson, and Brad Simpson.
The eight-part series produced by FX Productions revolves around a group of FBI agents who graduated from Quantico in 2009 and are reunited following the death of a mutual friend. Spanning three decades and told across three interweaving timelines,...
The series, which follows a class of FBI agents set in a near future where the U.S. criminal justice system has been transformed by artificial intelligence, comes from Tom Rob Smith, Nina Jacobson, and Brad Simpson.
The eight-part series produced by FX Productions revolves around a group of FBI agents who graduated from Quantico in 2009 and are reunited following the death of a mutual friend. Spanning three decades and told across three interweaving timelines,...
- 11/10/2021
- by Rosy Cordero and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Little Miss Sunshine helmers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris have been tapped to direct multiple episodes of Fleishman Is in Trouble, FX on Hulu’s limited series based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s New York Times bestselling debut novel .
FX Day @ TCA: Deadline’s Full Coverage
Additionally, Sunu Gonera (FX’s Snowfall) will direct the pilot episode of another FX on Hulu limited series, Class of ’09. The announcements were made by FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf during the network’s portion of the summer TCA virtual press tour.
Brodesser-Akner serves as the writer of the nine-episode limited series Fleishman Is in Trouble and executive produces it along with Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Susannah Grant. It centers on recently separated fortysomething Toby Fleishman, who dives into the brave new world of app-based dating with the kind of success he never had dating in his youth, before he got married at...
FX Day @ TCA: Deadline’s Full Coverage
Additionally, Sunu Gonera (FX’s Snowfall) will direct the pilot episode of another FX on Hulu limited series, Class of ’09. The announcements were made by FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf during the network’s portion of the summer TCA virtual press tour.
Brodesser-Akner serves as the writer of the nine-episode limited series Fleishman Is in Trouble and executive produces it along with Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Susannah Grant. It centers on recently separated fortysomething Toby Fleishman, who dives into the brave new world of app-based dating with the kind of success he never had dating in his youth, before he got married at...
- 8/13/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
"Every crash, every tumble, every knock, break, and crack, all worth it." Netflix has unveiled the official trailer for a South African BMX dramatic thriller titled Riding with Sugar, made by the director of Pride previously - Sunu Gonera. As painful memories spin in his head, a young refugee pedals toward a new future under a charitable mentor when fate challenges his BMX racing hopes. The film stars Charles Mnene as a boy named Joshua, who loves to ride his BMX bike. Also starring Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Simona Brown, Hlayani Junior Mabasa, and Paballo Koza. A coming-of-age, feel-good story about a young refugee's quest for BMX glory and the pursuit of identity, safety, happiness and love. This looks awesome! Some kick ass shots of him riding, and an authentic story about how hard it is to be a refugee and follow your dreams. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Sunu Gonera's Riding with Sugar,...
- 11/9/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
One of John Singleton’s last projects was the FX drama series Snowfall, which he co-created, directed and executive produced.
The series about the 1980s crack epidemic in Los Angeles is in production on its third season. The drama had remained in production while Singleton was hospitalized following his April 17 stroke. Filming also has continued today when news came that Singleton had been taken off life support and died a few hours later.
“Everybody is sad but everybody also is moving forward because that’s what John would’ve wanted,” Snowfall executive producer Trevor Engelson said.
Fittingly, the series was filming a very somber and dramatic scene today.
“It felt like the actors were hearing what John would’ve said, ‘Use that real-life emotion in your performance,'” Engelson said.
Singleton was a hands-on executive producer. “He was in the writers room, he was on set, he put his stamp on everything,...
The series about the 1980s crack epidemic in Los Angeles is in production on its third season. The drama had remained in production while Singleton was hospitalized following his April 17 stroke. Filming also has continued today when news came that Singleton had been taken off life support and died a few hours later.
“Everybody is sad but everybody also is moving forward because that’s what John would’ve wanted,” Snowfall executive producer Trevor Engelson said.
Fittingly, the series was filming a very somber and dramatic scene today.
“It felt like the actors were hearing what John would’ve said, ‘Use that real-life emotion in your performance,'” Engelson said.
Singleton was a hands-on executive producer. “He was in the writers room, he was on set, he put his stamp on everything,...
- 4/30/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
John Boyega, will star alongside Clare Bowen and Jason Isaacs in Zimbambwean filmmaker Sunu Gonera's Riding with Sugar. Gonera's last feature film was the 2007 drama, Pride, which starred Terrence Howard, Kimberly Elise, Bernie Mac and others, his feature film directorial debut. Gonera was born in Zimbabwe, where he attended a private school, thanks to a scholarship as well as his athletic abilities, which opened doors for him, including another scholarship to the University of Cape Town, where he got a degree in Psychology. He went on to have a successful career in banking, and eventually decided to take on his dreams of acting and making movies, working his...
- 5/21/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
It never ocurred to me that the 2007 drama, Pride, which starred Terrence Howard, Kimberly Elise, Bernie Mac and others, was directed by a Zimbambwean filmmaker named Sunu Gonera. Film blogging wasn't anything I was doing at the time, and I think was more focused on filmmaking, so I don't recall if I ever bothered to find out who directed the film, or if I did, but didn't do any further research on his name to find out that he was an African man. It's not exactly often that black African filmmakers are helming Hollywood studio movies, so I figured this one deserved mention, since his name really hasn't been mentioned on this blog - well, once, about a year ago, but more as a footnote...
- 5/14/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Scott Frank, who is best known for writing movies like Get Shorty, Out of Sight, and Minority Report, has apparently been working on a new draft of The Mountain Between Usfor Chernin Entertainment. The film, which has Michael Fassbender in talks to star, is about a doctor and a woman who survive a plane crash in Colorado, work to survive the harsh weather, and eventually fall in love. The story is based on the novel by Charles Martin and the first draft was scripted by J. Mills Goodloe, who wrote the 2007 Sunu Gonera movie Pride. Variety says that Gerardo Naranjo will direct the film, making it the filmmaker's English-language debut. Narrajo made his first feature film in 2004, a Mexican-set drama called Malachance, and just last year he directed the thriller Miss Bala. While I wasn't a big fan of the movie, it was premiered at both the Cannes Film Festival...
- 8/10/2012
- cinemablend.com
And that's what you get when you combine a producer from The Passion of the Christ (Stephen McEveety) with a writer (David McFadzean) from Tim Allen's TV series "Home Improvement": complete and utter chaos. But when you combine a box office and critical disaster like North with the modern comedy classic Groundhog Day, there has to be some semblance of a decent comedy hidden in there right? That's the hope as THR reports that development on Hello, I Love You, a comedy about a teenager who wishes for a new family only to find herself waking up each successive day with a new and strange one, is progressing well. Sunu Gonera (Pride), seen in the photo above, will direct from a script by Kim Beyer-Johnson, and though there's probably some fun to be had with this concept, the same producing team also brought us the equally recycled and...
- 11/4/2009
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
"The Passion of the Christ" producer Stephen McEveety and "Home Improvement" scribe David McFadzean are teaming up on "Hello, I Love You," a family comedy with an unusual twist.
The pair will develop a pic about a teenager who wishes for a new family but finds herself waking up each successive day with a new and strange one. Sunu Gonera has signed to direct from a script by Kim Beyer-Johnson.
McEveety will produce via his Mpower Pictures banner, and McFadzean will exec produce through his Wind Dancer Films shingle. The two, who will be peddling rights to the project at Afm this week, teamed in the same roles on the Mel Gibson starrer "What Women Want."
The group also announced that "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson has signed to serve as music supervisor for the project.
Mpower developed a number of family- and spirituality-themed pics including the Christopher Lloyd family...
The pair will develop a pic about a teenager who wishes for a new family but finds herself waking up each successive day with a new and strange one. Sunu Gonera has signed to direct from a script by Kim Beyer-Johnson.
McEveety will produce via his Mpower Pictures banner, and McFadzean will exec produce through his Wind Dancer Films shingle. The two, who will be peddling rights to the project at Afm this week, teamed in the same roles on the Mel Gibson starrer "What Women Want."
The group also announced that "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson has signed to serve as music supervisor for the project.
Mpower developed a number of family- and spirituality-themed pics including the Christopher Lloyd family...
- 11/3/2009
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Hairspray” director Adam Shankman will direct the big-screen version of John Grisham’s best-seller “Playing for Pizza,” according to Variety.
The book centers on an experienced NFL quarterback who flees to Italy after messing up his chance to take his team to the Super Bowl. There, he ends up working with a semiprofessional team struggling to win the Italian National Football League.
"We want to make this grittier than the book, a cross between 'North Dallas Forty' and 'Jerry Maguire,'” Shankman told Variety.
Shankman is directing a script by J. Mills Goodloe, who recently collaborated on the screenplay for Sunu Gonera’s “Pride.”
Shankman’s directing credits also include “Bringing Down the House” and “The Pacifier.” He also recently completed “Bedtime Stories,” a family comedy starring Adam Sandler and Courteney Cox.
The book centers on an experienced NFL quarterback who flees to Italy after messing up his chance to take his team to the Super Bowl. There, he ends up working with a semiprofessional team struggling to win the Italian National Football League.
"We want to make this grittier than the book, a cross between 'North Dallas Forty' and 'Jerry Maguire,'” Shankman told Variety.
Shankman is directing a script by J. Mills Goodloe, who recently collaborated on the screenplay for Sunu Gonera’s “Pride.”
Shankman’s directing credits also include “Bringing Down the House” and “The Pacifier.” He also recently completed “Bedtime Stories,” a family comedy starring Adam Sandler and Courteney Cox.
- 8/6/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Pride combines the two main themes in the current plethora of sports movies -- the inspirational victory and a Bad News Bears team that goes from ragtag to riches. Throw in historical black empowerment, too, which does occasionally crop up in films like Glory Road. Thus, the problem facing a film like Pride is that it feels like something we saw a month ago. Yes, Terrence Howard delivers another solid lead performance and competition swimming is a new arena for such films. Nonetheless, Pride is just plain trite.
The presence of Howard and popular comedian-actor Bernie Mac, who also is quite good, certainly will help the theatrical release by Lionsgate. Boxoffice probably will be in the midrange with perhaps greater potential on DVD.
The central figure is Jim Ellis, who has coached swim teams composed mostly of blacks from the Philadelphia Department of Recreation for more than 35 years. The screenplay, attributed to a pair of writing teams, Kevin Michael Smith & Michael Gozzard and J. Mills Goodloe & Norman Vance Jr., is a semi-fictional take on the early years when the Marcus Foster Recreational Center suffered from community neglect and was nearly shut down.
Jim (Howard) is no white knight when he initially walks into the graffiti-marred, unkempt facility in 1973. He's just guy who needs a job. In a scene heavy with portent of future showdowns, Jim is denied employment at a white school by a racist coach (Tom Arnold). But he does land a temporary job that amounts to little more than helping to shut down the Marcus Foster Rec Center.
When the city removes the basketball rims from the courts outside, local players drift into the center to discover a remarkably pristine swimming pool. Pretty soon, Jim, who swam competitively in college, is teaching them the butterfly and back strokes. Predictably, the guys are soon eager for competition. And, predictably, their first meet takes place against the preppy Main Line school team coached by Arnold. They get humiliated. One swimmer hits his head against the end of the pool. Another loses his trunks.
So the team buckles down to work, learns to swim much better and gets two more rematches with their nemesis team. In one, the white team refuses to compete in the Rec Center's pool. In the other, a state championship is on the line. The outcome also is predictable.
Howard glides through the story with professional elan, his natural charisma doing most of the work. Bernie Mac for once is playing a character who his not Bernie Mac, and he is terrific as the rec center custodian. Kimberly Elise can't do much with the routine role of a swimmer's sister and a city councilman who has the juice to help the center survive if she so chooses.
The movie supplies both a white and black villain. Along side Arnold's smirking coach is Gary Sturgis' ghetto hood, a character without much dimension or any rationale for harassing a swimming team.
The young actors playing the swimmers aren't given much to work with other than a single defining characteristic -- a stutter for one and glasses indicating braininess for another. But they are attractive actors and solid athletes.
Under the direction of neophyte Sunu Gonera, who might be the first Hollywood director to hail from Zimbabwe, the film is technically proficient. Matthew F. Leonetti's camerawork is polished and fluid, while designer Steve Saklad handles period details well. A soundtrack of Philly Soul -- familiar music from the songwriting team of Gamble and Huff -- makes for great listening.
PRIDE
Lionsgate
Cinerenta/Infinity Media
Credits:
Director: Sunu Gonera
Screenwriters: Kevin Michael Smith, Michael Gozzard, J. Mills Goodloe, Norman Vance Jr.
Story: Kevin Michael Smith, Michael Gozzard
Producers: Brett Forbes, Patrick Rizzotti, Michael Ohoven, Adam Rosenfelt, Paul Hall
Executive producers: Terrence Howard, Victoria Fredrick, Sam Nazarian, Eberhard Kayser, Malcolm Petal, Kimberly C. Anderson, Mike Paseornek, John Sacchi
Cinematographer: Matthew F. Leonetti
Production designer: Steve Saklad
Music: Aaron Zigman
Costume designer: Paul Simmons
Editor: Billy Fox
Cast:
Jim Ellis: Terrence Howard
Elston: Bernie Mac
Sue Davis: Kimberly Elise
Bink: Tom Arnold
Puddin Head: Brandon Fobbs
Walt: Alphonso McAuley
Willie: Regine Nehy
Hakim: Nate Parker
Andre: Kevin Phillips
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
The presence of Howard and popular comedian-actor Bernie Mac, who also is quite good, certainly will help the theatrical release by Lionsgate. Boxoffice probably will be in the midrange with perhaps greater potential on DVD.
The central figure is Jim Ellis, who has coached swim teams composed mostly of blacks from the Philadelphia Department of Recreation for more than 35 years. The screenplay, attributed to a pair of writing teams, Kevin Michael Smith & Michael Gozzard and J. Mills Goodloe & Norman Vance Jr., is a semi-fictional take on the early years when the Marcus Foster Recreational Center suffered from community neglect and was nearly shut down.
Jim (Howard) is no white knight when he initially walks into the graffiti-marred, unkempt facility in 1973. He's just guy who needs a job. In a scene heavy with portent of future showdowns, Jim is denied employment at a white school by a racist coach (Tom Arnold). But he does land a temporary job that amounts to little more than helping to shut down the Marcus Foster Rec Center.
When the city removes the basketball rims from the courts outside, local players drift into the center to discover a remarkably pristine swimming pool. Pretty soon, Jim, who swam competitively in college, is teaching them the butterfly and back strokes. Predictably, the guys are soon eager for competition. And, predictably, their first meet takes place against the preppy Main Line school team coached by Arnold. They get humiliated. One swimmer hits his head against the end of the pool. Another loses his trunks.
So the team buckles down to work, learns to swim much better and gets two more rematches with their nemesis team. In one, the white team refuses to compete in the Rec Center's pool. In the other, a state championship is on the line. The outcome also is predictable.
Howard glides through the story with professional elan, his natural charisma doing most of the work. Bernie Mac for once is playing a character who his not Bernie Mac, and he is terrific as the rec center custodian. Kimberly Elise can't do much with the routine role of a swimmer's sister and a city councilman who has the juice to help the center survive if she so chooses.
The movie supplies both a white and black villain. Along side Arnold's smirking coach is Gary Sturgis' ghetto hood, a character without much dimension or any rationale for harassing a swimming team.
The young actors playing the swimmers aren't given much to work with other than a single defining characteristic -- a stutter for one and glasses indicating braininess for another. But they are attractive actors and solid athletes.
Under the direction of neophyte Sunu Gonera, who might be the first Hollywood director to hail from Zimbabwe, the film is technically proficient. Matthew F. Leonetti's camerawork is polished and fluid, while designer Steve Saklad handles period details well. A soundtrack of Philly Soul -- familiar music from the songwriting team of Gamble and Huff -- makes for great listening.
PRIDE
Lionsgate
Cinerenta/Infinity Media
Credits:
Director: Sunu Gonera
Screenwriters: Kevin Michael Smith, Michael Gozzard, J. Mills Goodloe, Norman Vance Jr.
Story: Kevin Michael Smith, Michael Gozzard
Producers: Brett Forbes, Patrick Rizzotti, Michael Ohoven, Adam Rosenfelt, Paul Hall
Executive producers: Terrence Howard, Victoria Fredrick, Sam Nazarian, Eberhard Kayser, Malcolm Petal, Kimberly C. Anderson, Mike Paseornek, John Sacchi
Cinematographer: Matthew F. Leonetti
Production designer: Steve Saklad
Music: Aaron Zigman
Costume designer: Paul Simmons
Editor: Billy Fox
Cast:
Jim Ellis: Terrence Howard
Elston: Bernie Mac
Sue Davis: Kimberly Elise
Bink: Tom Arnold
Puddin Head: Brandon Fobbs
Walt: Alphonso McAuley
Willie: Regine Nehy
Hakim: Nate Parker
Andre: Kevin Phillips
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 3/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sunu Gonera is in final negotiations to partner with Lionsgate again.
The South African director, who recently completed helming his first feature, Pride, for the studio, will team with gospel singer Kirk Franklin to direct Church Boy.
Based on Franklin's life story, Church is being produced by Pride producer Paul Hall along with Bobby Smith Jr. and casting director Robi Reed.
Gonera, a commercials director, got his debut feature opportunity after his first short film, Riding With Sugar, screened at the 2005 Festival de Cannes.
Gonera, who hails from a township in Zimbabwe, spent years in front of the camera, acting in commercials ranging from KFC to Sony to the U.S.' Olympics campaign. He then spent four years as a private banker before deciding to try filmmaking.
In July 2003, Gonera formed his own company, Faith Creations, with Diana Keam and has directed a few commercials since then. He's working on turning Riding With Sugar, which he also wrote, into a feature film.
Gonera is repped by ICM is managed by Paul Nelson at Mosaic.
The South African director, who recently completed helming his first feature, Pride, for the studio, will team with gospel singer Kirk Franklin to direct Church Boy.
Based on Franklin's life story, Church is being produced by Pride producer Paul Hall along with Bobby Smith Jr. and casting director Robi Reed.
Gonera, a commercials director, got his debut feature opportunity after his first short film, Riding With Sugar, screened at the 2005 Festival de Cannes.
Gonera, who hails from a township in Zimbabwe, spent years in front of the camera, acting in commercials ranging from KFC to Sony to the U.S.' Olympics campaign. He then spent four years as a private banker before deciding to try filmmaking.
In July 2003, Gonera formed his own company, Faith Creations, with Diana Keam and has directed a few commercials since then. He's working on turning Riding With Sugar, which he also wrote, into a feature film.
Gonera is repped by ICM is managed by Paul Nelson at Mosaic.
- 12/14/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Evan Ross and Scott Reeves have joined the cast of Lionsgate's PDR, which stars Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac. Directed by Sunu Gonera, the film chronicles the real-life story of Jim Ellis (Howard), who in the 1970s transformed a group of troubled black inner-city kids into one of the best swim teams in the country. Michael Gozzard and Kevin M. Smith wrote the screenplay. Ross, who makes his film debut this month in Chris Robinson's ATL, will play one of the troubled teens. Reeves, the son of Clint Eastwood, will play the captain of a predominantly white rival swim team.
- 3/21/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedian Bernie Mac is in final negotiations to sign on for his first dramatic role, co-starring with Terrence Howard in PDR for Lionsgate Films. PDR, or Philadelphia Department of Recreation, chronicles the real-life story of Jim Ellis (Howard), who in the 1970s transformed a group of troubled inner-city kids into one of the best swim teams in the country. Mac will play the janitor who, with Howard, fights the closing of a rec center and helps turn it into a vital community center. South African commercial helmer Sunu Gonera is making his feature directorial debut on the film, which was penned by Michael Gozzard and Kevin M. Smith.
- 2/13/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedian Bernie Mac is in final negotiations to sign on for his first dramatic role, co-starring with Terrence Howard in PDR for Lionsgate Films. PDR, or Philadelphia Department of Recreation, chronicles the real-life story of Jim Ellis (Howard), who in the 1970s transformed a group of troubled inner-city kids into one of the best swim teams in the country. Mac will play the janitor who, with Howard, fights the closing of a rec center and helps turn it into a vital community center. South African commercial helmer Sunu Gonera is making his feature directorial debut on the film, which was penned by Michael Gozzard and Kevin M. Smith.
- 2/13/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sunu Gonera will make his feature directorial debut on PDR, an inspirational sports drama for Lions Gate Films. Fortress Entertainment's Patrick Rizzotti and Brett Forbes are producing. PDR, which stands for Philadelphia Department of Recreation, tells the real-life story of Jim Ellis, who in the 1970s started a black swim team in one of the city's roughest neighborhoods. Ellis recruited troubled teens, many who had never swum before, and managed to lead them to the state championships. Lions Gate's John Sacchi and Michael Paseornek are overseeing.
- 8/11/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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