AMC Networks to begin developing "Good Night, and Good Luck"

 AMC Networks announced the opening of a writers’ room to develop a serial version of "Good Night, and Good Luck" for AMC and AMC+. “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.”

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. The scripts will be led by Emmy, PGA and WGA Award winner Jonathan Glatzer 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 and Haley Jones, and co-executive producer Rebecca Arzoian. 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.“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.”

Glatzer will serve as showrunner and executive produce 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. In the event of a series order, AMC Studios would produce the six-episode series with Smokehouse, Participant and 2929 Productions. AMC Networks holds worldwide exclusive rights to the series. “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.”

"Good Night and Good Luck" showrunner Jonathan Glatzer was inspired by 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. “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 make this the ideal collaboration for the new series adaptation.”