TNT, a division of Turner, has cast three award-winning actors in the drama pilot Civil: Courtney B. Vance, hot off his acclaimed performance as attorney Johnnie Cochran in The People v. O.J. Simpson: AMERICAN CRIME STORY and soon to be seen in the films Office Christmas Party and The Mummy; Toby Jones, whose credits include the blockbuster Captain America and Hunger Games franchises; and Bradley Whitford, known for his long-running role on The West Wing and his more recent triumph in Transparent. In addition, Brian D'Arcy James (Spotlight, Smash, Broadway's SOMETHING ROTTEN) will guest-star the pilot, which will also feature Enrique Murciano (Bloodline, Collateral Beauty) in a lead role.
A gripping political and social drama about a second American Civil War, Civil is set to be directed by seven-time Emmy(R) nominee
Allen Coulter (Damages, Nurse Jackie, Ray Donovan) and written and executive-produced by
Scott Smith, who earned an Oscar(R) nomination and awards from the National Board of Review and the Broadcast Film Critics Association for A Simple Plan, which he adapted from his own bestselling novel.
Civil takes place in the wake of a hotly contested Presidential election, as America finds itself plunging uncontrollably into a modern day Civil War. The series weaves together the personal stories of citizens from all walks of life, whose actions - amplified in an age of instant media - add fuel to the conflict and affect the fate of the entire country.
Vance is set to play New York City Police Commissioner
John Thorne, an old-school, law-and-order cop who's unabashedly tough, with one newspaper dubbing him "Iron John." As the nation's unrest spreads to New York City, Thorne reacts with increasingly extreme measures, gradually assuming near-dictatorial power over the city he's sworn to serve and protect.
Jones will take the role of shock-jock host Otis O'Dell, host of The Otis O'Dell Show. A Brit who has taken American citizenship, Otis prides himself on being more red-white-and-blue than most "native born" Americans. He's smart, verbally dexterous and charmingly abrasive, with a reflexive sense of outrage. He'll serve as both a Greek chorus for the series and, when it suits him, a political provocateur. As the national crisis he helps foment deepens, Otis will be forced to deal with his role in the unraveling of the Republic.
Whitford has been cast as Grant Taylor, the Democratic candidate for President. Taylor is a career politician who spent the past eight years trying to appear subservient in his role as Vice President, cutting against his reflex to approach every relationship from a position of domineering aggression. He comes from a background of great privilege, but he works hard to mask this behind a facade of relatability and good humor.
d'Arcy James will appear in a guest-starring role as
Graham Beller, a very capable, reasonable but long-suffering news producer and sometimes wrangler. Graham is constantly towing the line between support and
TOUGH LOVE for his anchor.
TNT previously confirmed the casting of
Enrique Murciano as Speaker of the House Juan Reyes, the Republican candidate for President. He's the son of immigrants and a proudly self-made man. As a young man, he made a fortune selling used cars, and he carried these skills with him as he turned to politics. Now he's a back-slapper and easy hugger, but beneath his aura of good humor lurks a sharp-toothed political brawler.
TNT Originals is producing the Civil pilot in association with MGM Television. Whalerock Industries' Lloyd Braun is executive producer and Andrew Mittman is co-executive producer under the MGM production deal with Whalerock.
Thomas Kelly (Blue Bloods, Copper) serves as showrunner and executive producer.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos
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