Fox Signs Exclusive Deal for New Event Series Thriller “11.22.63” from J.J. Abrams, Stephen King and Bridget Carpenter
(January 25, 2016 – London) – “11.22.63,” the highly anticipated event series thriller from executive producers J.J. Abrams, Stephen King and Bridget Carpenter will premiere in select European territories this spring exclusively on FOX, it was announced today by FOX Networks Group Europe. The deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution secures exclusive first-run linear and non-linear rights in 18 European markets, including Bulgaria, Flemish-speaking Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.
Based on King’s best-selling 2011 novel, the epic new nine-hour event series “11.22.63” combines the talents of J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Fringe,” “Lost”), acclaimed best-selling author Stephen King (“The Shining,” “Misery,” “Stand By Me”) with executive producer/writer Bridget Carpenter (“The Red Road,” “Parenthood,” “Friday Night Lights”) and Warner Bros. Television. Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King Of Scotland,” “State Of Play”) directs and serves as executive producer for the two-hour series premiere. Distributed around the world by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, the series is executive produced by Abrams, King, Carpenter and Bryan Burk (“Person of Interest,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”).
With this major acquisition, FOX continues to lead the way in Pay TV, once again delivering absolutely unmissable event television to our audiences across Europe. “11.22.63” will roll out weekly over eight weeks on FOX channels and via associated video on-demand services.
FOX EVP for Distribution, Caleb Weinstein, said: “The golden age of television is being driven by serialised drama. And in 2016, FOX channels across Europe are at the forefront: delivering on-demand access to the best content in the world, whenever and wherever our Pay TV subscribers want to watch.”
FOX Senior VP, Global Acquisitions, Jason Simms, added: “We are delighted to be working with Warner Bros. on ‘11.22.63.’ With its epic and suspenseful story complemented by an absolutely incredible array of talent, both behind and in front of the camera, we are confident our audiences will love what promises to be one of 2016’s hottest shows, first on FOX.”
Starring an exceptional ensemble cast, “11.22.63” hurtles viewers deep into the unpredictable darkness of the American Dream. Academy Award nominee James Franco (“127 Hours”) stars as Jake Epping, a high school teacher at a loss with his life, who wants to make a difference and do something meaningful. Encouraged by his ailing friend, Al Templeton (Academy Award winner Chris Cooper, “Adaptation”), Jake journeys back in time in an attempt to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The story transports audiences into the world of 1960s Texas as Jake explores the multiple mysteries surrounding the alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald (Daniel Webber, “Home and Away”). But Jake's mission faces threats not only from Oswald, but also from Sadie Dunhill (Sarah Gadon), a beautiful librarian he falls in love with, and from the Past itself...which doesn't want to be changed. And if the Past doesn't want to be changed, it will push back – often violently.
The exceptional ensemble cast also includes Cherry Jones (“24”) as Marguerite Oswald, Lucy Fry (“Vampire Academy”) as Marina Oswald, George MacKay (“Defiance”) as Bill Turcotte, Leon Rippy (“Deadwood”) as Harry Dunning, Kevin J. O’Connor (“There Will Be Blood”) as Yellow Card Man, T.R. Knight (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as Johnny Clayton, Jonny Coyne (“Manhattan”) as George de Mohrenschildt, Brooklyn Sudano (“My Wife and Kids”) as Christy Epping and Tonya Pinkins (“24”) as Mimi Corcoran, with Josh Duhamel (“Transformers”) as Frank Dunning.
With something for everyone, “11.22.63” is a heroic and emotional thriller built upon a pivotal moment in history. FOX is proud to partner with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution to deliver this epic and heart-racing thrill ride, unlike anything else onscreen.
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