FX has ordered the first season of Atlanta, a half-hour series created by and starring Donald Glover, it was announced today by Nick Grad and Eric Schrier, the Presidents of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions.
“Atlanta draws on Donald’s considerable talents as a musician, actor and writer to give us something unique,” Grad said. “The story is made all the more powerful by the great cast and the contributions of Donald’s fellow Executive Producer Paul Simms and director Hiro Murai. We can’t wait to for the debut of Atlanta next year.”
Actor, writer and musician Glover will serve as Executive Producer, along with Paul Simms (Girls, Flight of the Conchords, NewsRadio) and Dianne McGunigle of MGMT Entertainment. Atlanta will be produced by FX Productions and air on FX in 2016.
Atlanta will also star Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Lee Stanfield and Zazie Beetz.
Atlanta revolves around two cousins on their way up through the Atlanta rap scene.
Donald Glover will play “EARNEST ‘EARN’ MARKS.” Glover is an award-winning actor and writer best known for playing “Troy” on the Yahoo! (formerly NBC) sitcom Community. As a writer on NBC’s 30 Rock, Glover received a WGA Award for best Comedy Series in 2008, 2009 and 2010. As the musical artist Childish Gambino, Glover has received two Grammy Award nominations. Glover is represented by Greg Cavic at UTA, Lev Ginsburg of Ginsburg Daniels LLP, and Dianne McGunigle at MGMT Entertainment.
Brian Tyree Henry will play “ALFRED MILES.” Henry is currently recurring on HBO’s Vice Principals. He is best known for his appearances in the feature film Puerto Ricans in Paris, and TV’s The Knick, Boardwalk Empire, My America, The Good Wife and Law & Order. Brian’s numerous theatre credits include the origination of the role of General in Broadway’s Book of Mormon. Brian is represented by Paul Hilepo of Hartig-Hilepo Agency and Jennifer Wiley-Stockton of JWS Entertainment.
Lakeith Lee Stanfield will play “DARIUS.” Stanfield has appeared in numerous feature films, including Dope, Selma, Short Term 12, Straight Outta Compton and Miles Ahead, and will next be seen in Snowden. He is also a member of the hip hop group Moors. Stanfield is represented by Jennifer Patredis at Innovative, Colin Stark, and Lev Ginsburg of Ginsburg Daniels LLP.
Zazie Beetz will play “VAN.” Beetz has appeared in the feature film Applesauce and the short films Beasts and The Crocotta. She will next appear in the feature Finding Her and is currently shooting Wolves for writer/director Bart Freundlich. Beetz is represented by Gersh.