AMC Launches Anthology Series GREAT AMERICAN STORIES with THE GRAPES OF WRATH as First Chapter
AMC is throwing it back to its roots leaning into the "American" part of American Movie Classics with a new anthology series titled Great American Stories.
Each season of the series will spotlight a different cornerstone of American culture, from iconic novels to defining historical moments. John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath will be kicking off the project.
The project is being developed by AMC Studios and is positioned as a long-term franchise play for the network. Dan McDermott, AMC Networks’ president of entertainment and AMC Studios shared:
“For more than a year we have been searching for the perfect story to launch our next big television franchise, and we found it in The Grapes of Wrath, which is as timely and relevant today as it was when first published in 1939.
“Our country is built upon so many unforgettable historic and dramatic moments, tales of bravery and courage, classic novels, short stories, and chronicles well known and never-before-told. As a network that began its life as American Movie Classics, this is the franchise we’re destined to bring to the screen.”
The adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath will be led by Interview with the Vampire showrunner Rolin Jones, who’s set to guide the series creatively. Each new season will take on a different story, with fresh teams brought on board, under the watchful eyes of Jones and producer Mark Johnson.
Jones described the series with the kind of blue-collar metaphor, saying: “We’re thinking about Great American Stories like one of those resolute car factories in Michigan – bring in visionary creators, give them an assembly line of singular talent to build the thing, hand them the keys and get the hell out of the way.
“This is Dan McDermott’s big, bold, torpedo bat swing at AMC. He’s hired me to roll a beauty off the factory floor every year. I hope to never have another job for the rest of my career.”
As for producer Mark Johnson, he said: “Never have I felt more professional pressure than in accepting this challenge to help translate some legendary American stories to the television screen. I am utterly grateful to AMC for this invitation and truly indebted to Rolin for his trust in me. What a terrifying opportunity!”
With Great American Stories, AMC is aiming to carve out a new legacy that honors the past while reimagining it for a modern audience. This has big potential, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
Source: Deadline