Award-Winning Director Anthony Hemingway Set for USA/Syfy's THE PURGE

Universal Cable Productions (UCP) and Blumhouse Television today announced that Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) award-winner Anthony Hemingway (UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.) is set to direct the premiere episode of USA/SYFY's upcoming series THE PURGE based on the hit film franchise. From Blumhouse Television and Universal Cable Productions, THE PURGE, which will air on USA and SYFY, and the series was created, and will be executive produced by the film franchise creator James DeMonaco, and led by Jason Blum, the entire team behind the blockbusters are on board to executive produce: Michael Bay with Brad Fuller and Andrew Form under the Platinum Dunes banner and Sebastien K. Lemercier. Thomas Kelly serves as executive producer/showrunner of the series.

Hemingway is one of television's most prominent African-American directors. He directed and co-executive produced "The People v. O.J. Simpson: AMERICAN CRIME Story," which earned him an Emmy and Golden Globe award along with numerous other accolades. Hemingway also served as director and executive producer on "Underground," and has previously directed episodes of Universal Cable Productions' "Battlestar Galactica," in addition to "American Horror Story," "Orange Is The New Black," "Empire," and "Shameless." Most recently, he executive produced and directed Universal Cable Productions' limited true crime series UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC AND THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. currently airing on USA. The series chronicles the dual police investigations into the controversial murders of two of the rap industry's most legendary players, Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.). The series stars Wavyy Jonez as Christopher Wallace (aka The Notorious B.I.G.), Marcc Rose as Tupac Shakur, Josh Duhamel as Detective Greg Kading, Jimmi Simpson as Detective Russell Poole and Bokeem Woodbine as Officer Daryn Dupree.

In addition to Hemingway's involvement in the series, Universal Cable Productions recently announced the castings of two of the ensemble leads in THE PURGE. Gabriel Chavarria ("East Los High") is set for the role of Miguel, who is a US Marine with a hard edge and a noble mission. After receiving a cryptic letter from his little sister, he returns to town on Purge Night - prepared to face the senseless violence in the streets alone in order to protect what he loves most - his family. Jessica Garza ("Six") will play the role of Penelope, who belongs to a Purge-worshipping cult. Having pledged herself to be sacrificed at the behest of their charismatic leader, Penelope's faith is tested when she is exposed to the ghastly realities of the Purge. Amanda Warren ("Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri") is set for the role of Jane, a dedicated and hardworking finance professional, Jane's convinced that she's hit an insurmountable glass ceiling at her firm, so she hires a Purge-assassin. Colin Woodell will play the role of Rick who is finally climbing the social ladder, but currying favor with the pro-Purge elite presents unexpected challenges to his marriage, as he and his wife (Jenna) must agree on what moral price they'll pay to achieve the American dream.

Hemingway is represented by WME and Hansen Jacobson.

About Universal Cable Productions:

Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted content for all media platforms. Its robust slate of programming includes: the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama "Mr. Robot," the Golden Globe nominated "The Sinner," "Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G," "Suits," "Colony," and "Shooter" for USA Network; "12 Monkeys," "Channel Zero," "Happy!," "Killjoys" and "The Magicians" for SYFY; "The Purge" for USA and SYFY; "Dirty John," "Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce," and "Imposters" for Bravo; "The Arrangement" and "The Royals" for E!; "The Umbrella Academy" for Netflix; "Homecoming" for Amazon; "Impulse" for Youtube Red; and "HarmonQuest" for VRV. UCP's content library also features critic and fan favorites such as the Emmy-award winning "Monk" as well as "Battlestar Galactica" and "Psych." Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.

About Blumhouse Television:

Blumhouse Television has earned critical acclaim and numerous honors for its dark, edgy fare including Emmy awards for its productions of HBO's "The Normal Heart" and "The Jinx," as well as the prestigious Peabody award for "The Jinx" and the documentary "How to Dance in Ohio." "This is Home" garnered the World Cinema Documentary Competition's Audience Award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Blumhouse Television launched as an independent studio in 2017 with funding from ITV. Projects currently in production include "Sharp Objects," a limited series from Marti Noxon and Gillian Flynn for HBO based on Flynn's best-selling novel of the same name, starring Amy Adams and directed by Jean-Marc Valle; "The Purge," from writer/director/producer James DeMonaco based on the popular film franchise of the same name for USA/Syfy; "Sacred Lies," a ten episode series with Raelle Tucker and Scott Winant producing for Facebook Watch; a first-of-its-kind 12 episode monthly horror anthology series for Hulu; a reboot of "Tremors", headlined by original star Kevin Bacon, and "Run For Your Life," a supernatural race on the final night of Dia de los Muertos, both of which have a pilot order from USA/Syfy; and "Secure and Hold," a limited series for Showtime based on journalist Gabriel Sherman's reporting on former Fox News chief, Roger Ailes, with Tom McCarthy writing and executive producing. Blumhouse Television is the latest venture from Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse Productions, which is widely-recognized for its pioneering model of producing high-quality micro-budget films including "The Purge" franchise, "Whiplash", and "Get Out."

About SYFY:

SYFY is a global, multiplatform media brand that gives Science fiction fans of all kinds a universe to call home. Celebrating the genre in all its forms, Syfy super-serves passionate fans with original Science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and superhero programming, live event coverage and imaginative digital and social content. The brand is powered by Syfy WIRE (www.syfy.com), the premier portal for breaking genre news, insight and commentary. Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

About USA Network:

USA Network, the leader in cable entertainment, offers a powerful stable of dramatic, comedic and unscripted originals in more than 102 million U.S. homes. The network also features spectacular live television, a dynamic portfolio of acquired series and the best in blockbuster theatrical films and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. USA's award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Watch usa network anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.

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