AMC Networks has announced the opening of a writers’ room to develop a serial version of Good Night And Good Luck for AMC and AMC+. The series adaptation of Participant and 2929 Productions’ 2005 Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe multi-nominated film was brought to the network by George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures along with Participant and 2929 Productions.
Scripts will be led by Emmy, PGA, and WGA Award winner Jonathan Glatzer (Better Call Saul, Succession), and Grant Heslov will direct the first episode.
Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner, under their 2929 Productions banner, and Jeff Skoll for Participant, will return as executive producers, joined by Miura Kite (Participant) and Haley Jones (2929), and co-executive producer Rebecca Arzoian (Smokehouse).
The project will be developed under AMC Networks’ “scripts-to-series” model, which opens writers’ rooms to develop prospective series that, in success, move straight to series.
Good Night And Good Luck showrunner Jonathan Glatzer has found his inspiration in the newsmen and women who worked alongside Edward R. Murrow amid a post-war climate of fear and hysteria. The series follows Sy Steingartner, a young cameraman for Murrow’s “See It Now,” who is forced to juggle his admiration for Murrow with his own ambition.
With the CBS brass pushing an anti-Communist Loyalty Oath on Murrow and his staff, Sy has an opportunity to rise straight to the top, but only by betraying his mentor in the process. With wit and keen observation, the series confronts how we respond to chaos and the values that pull us through.
“As a massive fan of the movie, I didn’t want to copy it or just do a facsimile of it. So, we’ve expanded the world to show how the division and hysteria of the times seeped into every aspect of daily life,” said showrunner Jonathan Glatzer.
“I suppose it’s more of an origin story of where we are today.”
“AMC is known for intriguing, deep-rooted characters that leap off the screen and into the cultural zeitgeist. Sy Steingartner fits right in with AMC’s icons, and we are excited to develop the character and series,” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks.
“We’re huge fans of Jonathan’s expert storytelling gifts, George and Grant’s producing prowess, Grant’s directing skills, and the vigorous talents of Mark, Todd, and Jeff, and we’re elated to work with all in this new endeavor.”
“We are exceedingly proud of the Oscar-nominated Good Night, and Good Luck film, and its themes remain frighteningly relevant today, as new threats to democracy arise and trust in the press continues to erode,” said Participant’s CEO David Linde.
“We are proud to work with AMC, Smokehouse, and 2929 to expand on the world of the film in this thrilling new series.”
“Good Night, and Good Luck and the pressures faced by the men and women of the Murrow newsroom are more timely now than ever,” said Todd Wagner, CEO of 2929 Entertainment.
“We are thrilled to reteam with our partners George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Participant to bring Jonathan Glatzer’s vision of Murrow to new audiences. AMC’s long history of character-driven storytelling makes this the ideal collaboration for the new series adaptation.”
Glatzer will serve as showrunner and executive producer alongside George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and co-executive producer Rebecca Arzoian for Smokehouse Pictures, Mark Cuban, Todd Wagner, and Haley Jones for 2929 Productions, and Jeff Skoll and Miura Kite for Participant.
If a series order is granted, AMC Studios will produce the six-episode series with Smokehouse, Participant, and 2929 Productions. AMC Networks holds exclusive rights to the series worldwide.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to cover the latest streaming, movie, TV, and game news.