New Details on Donald Glover's FX Series ATLANTA
I've been a huge fan of Donald Glover for about five or six years now, going back to my discovery of his rap persona Childish Gambino, interviewing him and the rest of DERRICK Comedy for Mystery Team, and then working at Paramount and occasionally running into him on the lot while he was shooting Community. (You can currently see the actor in theaters in Magic Mike XXL.) Since he left the show, I've been excited to see what his return to television would look like, and a couple of years ago it was announced that he'd be creating and starring in a new series for FX called Atlanta. Now some new information has come to light about the show, including casting and character breakdowns. Check it out below:
Donald Glover will play “EARNEST ‘EARN’ MARKS,” a loner who left Atlanta only to return; now working an unglamorous job and barely getting by. When his cousin Alfred becomes Atlanta’s hot rapper, Earn sees an opportunity to manage Alfred’s career. 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.
Brian Tyree Henry will play “ALFRED MILES,” Atlanta’s hot of the moment rapper who plans to capitalize on the sudden fame as quickly as possible. 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.
Lakeith Lee Stanfield will play “DARIUS,” Alfred’s oddly talented right-hand man and musical collaborator. Stanfield has appeared in numerous feature films, including Dope, Selma and Short Term 12, and will next be seen in the features Snowden, Straight Outta Compton and Miles Ahead, among several others. He is also a member of the hip hop group Moors.
Zazie Beetz will play “VAN,” a pragmatist caught up in a complicated relationship with Earn (Donald Glover) due to their daughter. 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.
The pilot is going to be directed by Hiro Murai, a music video director who has directed a few Childish Gambino videos in the past. I've included those below so you can get a sense of Murai's style. Are you looking forward to Atlanta?
Via: Screencrush