Production Has Begun On the STARZ Original Series

 “BLUNT TALK”

STARZ RELEASES FIRST LOOK PHOTOS FROM SET

 

Patrick Stewart Stars in Half-Hour Scripted Comedy from MRC,

 Executive Producers Seth MacFarlane and Jonathan Ames

Beverly Hills, Calif., January 28, 2015 – The STARZ Original series “Blunt Talk” began production this week in Los Angeles on the 10-episode first season of the half-hour scripted comedy series from Media Rights Capital (MRC) and executive produced by Seth MacFarlane, Jonathan Ames, Tristram Shapeero and Stephanie Davis.   Set in Los Angeles, the story follows Walter Blunt, a British import intent on conquering the world of American cable news and the fallout from his well-intentioned, but mostly misguided decision-making, both on and off the air. The series will premiere on STARZ in the summer of 2015.

Through the platform of his nightly interview show, Blunt is on a mission to impart his wisdom and guidance on how Americans should live, think and behave.  Besieged by network bosses, a dysfunctional news staff, numerous ex-wives and children of all ages, Blunt’s only support is the alcoholic manservant he transplanted from the U.K. to join him in Los Angeles.  

The cast is led by Patrick Stewart (X-Men franchise, Ted) in the role of Walter Blunt, Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook) as Rosalie, Blunt’s tough and motherly producer-manager and Adrian Scarborough (The King’s Speech) as Harry, Blunt’s manservant. Dolly Wells (“Doll & Em,”) who was cast as Celia, Blunt’s head producer and writer, with Timm Sharp (“Enlightened”) who was cast as Jim, Blunt’s head writer round out the cast. Actor and comedian Richard Lewis (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) will recur as Dr. Weiss, Blunt’s appointed therapist.

The series is greenlit for a two-season, 20-episode commitment.

“It was a great first day on the set of ‘Blunt Talk’- Patrick Stewart was noble, loony, and heroic,” said Creator and Executive Producer Jonathan Ames. “And that was before the first shot. Later, in character as Walter Blunt, he was all those things and more.”

MacFarlane and Fuzzy Door Productions, Inc. serve as executive producer.  Ames, who originated the idea for the series, will also serve as executive producer, writer and showrunner.  Tristram Shapeero (“Community”) and Stephanie Davis (“Bored to Death”) will also serve as executive producers with Shapeero also serving as director. Stewart will also serve as producer on the series.

MRC, the studio behind MacFarlane’s directorial debut Ted, which is the highest grossing original comedy of all time worldwide, the highly anticipated sequel, Ted 2, and the award-winning series “House of Cards,” is best known as one of the most artist friendly independent studios. 

About MRC

MRC is a leading film and television studio, specializing in the creation of content in partnership with the industry’s foremost creative talent.  The company develops, produces and finances film and TV for leading distributors including Sony, Warner Brothers, Universal and Fox, as well as premier networks including HBO, ABC, Netflix, AMC, Lifetime and Comedy Central. 

MRC is the studio behind the Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning series, House of Cards, distributed by Netflix and various international distributors.  The company also developed, produced and financed Ted, distributed by Universal Pictures, the highest grossing original comedy of all time.  For more information, please visit www.mrcstudios.com.

About Starz

Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ^® and ENCORE^® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies.  As of September 30, 2014, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.2 million subscribers, including 22.5 million at STARZ, and 33.7 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S.  STARZ^® and ENCORE^®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX^®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television.  Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties.  Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.