Television
September 8, 2003
Lucy Lawless To Add Firepower To The WB
(September 8, 2003 – Burbank, CA) – Lucy Lawless (DreamWorks’ “The Ugly Americans,” “Xena Warrior Princess”) will become one of the stars on The WB’s highly anticipated fall drama “Tarzan” in the role of Kathleen Clayton, a publishing magnate and the title character's aunt. In addition, Ms. Lawless signed an exclusive series development deal with The WB for the 2004-2005 season. The announcements were made today by Jordan Levin, President, Entertainment of The WB.
“Lucy has a tremendous sense of humor, warmth and grace,” Mr. Levin said. “She has a fun, larger-than-life personality that will shape the character of Kathleen Clayton as she makes it her own and that is what attracted us to her for future development.”
On “Tarzan,” Ms. Lawless plays Kathleen Clayton, a New York newspaper publisher and the aunt to Tarzan (Travis Fimmel). Within the Clayton family, Tarzan’s return has unleashed rivalries that have festered for decades. His uncle Richard (Mitch Pileggi, “X-Files”) is bitterly estranged from his witty, sardonic and beautiful younger sister Kathleen Clayton. While Richard believes that his desire to rehabilitate Tarzan and make him a real member of society is in Tarzan’s own best interest, Kathleen believes that what Tarzan really needs is their help and support as he finds his own way in this strange new world. Now that their nephew has returned from the dead as Tarzan, Richard and Kathleen have squared off in a new battle. While they are both driven by love – for Tarzan and for the family – they also know that whoever controls Tarzan, controls Greystoke Industries as well.
Ms. Lawless will be a series regular in the first season, while developing a series for next fall.
Ms. Lawless, who worked with “Tarzan” executive producer Laura Ziskin in “Spider-Man,” is repped by the Endeavor Agency and Original Management. The deal was negotiated by Jeanne Newman. Ms. Lawless is currently working with Eric Kripke, co-executive producer of “Tarzan,” in the theatrical film, “Boogeyman.”
“Tarzan” is from executive producers Laura Ziskin (“Spider-Man,” “Pretty Woman”), David Gerber (“The Lost Battalion”), P.K. Simonds (“Party of Five,” “Beauty and The Beast”) and co-executive producer Eric Kripke (“Battle of the Sexes”) and is produced by Laura Ziskin Productions, The Gerber Company distributed by Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. # # #