AT&T AUDIENCE Network(R) and Sonar Entertainment Announce Cast for New Original Series "Mr. Mercedes," Based on Stephen King's Best Selling Detective Novel

Cast to Include Brendan Gleeson, Harry Treadaway, Kelly Lynch, Jharrel Jerome, Scott Lawrence, Robert Stanton, Breeda Wool, Justine Lupe, and Ann Cusack, with Mary Louise-Parker and Holland Taylor

Series Written By David E. Kelley and Directed by Jack Bender

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 30, 2017 -- AT&T* AUDIENCE Network has cast for its new original series, "Mr. Mercedes." The new series from Sonar Entertainment will premiere 10 hour-long episodes, which are currently in production in Charleston, South Carolina.

TV veterans David E. Kelley ("Boston Legal," "Ally McBeal," "The Practice") has written the adaptation, while Jack Bender ("Lost," "Under the Dome," "Game of Thrones") will direct. The duo will serve as executive producers, along with Temple Hill Entertainment's Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey.

The series will premiere later this year on AUDIENCE Network exclusively on DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse, and DIRECTV NOW.

Leading the "Mr. Mercedes" cast are Brendan Gleeson ("Harry Potter") as Detective Bill Hodges, Harry Treadaway ("Penny Dreadful") as Brady Hartsfield, Kelly Lynch ("Magic City") as Deborah Hartsfield, Jharrel Jerome ("Moonlight") as Jerome Robinson, Scott Lawrence ("Avatar") as Detective Peter Dixon, Robert Stanton ("Mercury Rising") as Anthony "Robi" Frobisher, Breeda Wool ("Unreal") as Lou Linklatter, Justine Lupe ("Francis Ha") as Holly Gibney, and Ann Cusack ("Nightcrawler") as Olivia Trelawney, with Mary Louise-Parker ("Weeds") as Janey Patterson, and Holland Taylor ("The Truman Show") as Ida Silver.

"Mr. Mercedes" follows a demented killer Brady Hartsfield (Treadaway) who taunts a retired police detective Bill Hodges (Gleeson) with a series of lurid letters and emails, forcing the ex-cop to undertake a private, and potentially felonious, crusade to bring the killer to justice before he is able to strike again.

"Mr. Mercedes" is a captivating new series featuring a stellar cast, and produced and directed by 2 industry stalwarts in David E. Kelley and Jack Bender," said Christopher Long, head of AUDIENCE Network. "This is exactly the kind of trifecta AUDIENCE constantly seeks in original television productions which we believe resonates with our viewers."

"With excellent source material, a world-class production team and a first-rate cast, all of the pieces are in place to ensure success," said Thomas Lesinski, CEO of Sonar Entertainment. "We are confident that this series will appeal to a broad audience in the United States and in international territories around the world."

"It's an extraordinary cast that's come together," said Kelley. "To be able to work with an ensemble of such high caliber actors, led by Brendan Gleeson...this is such a privilege."

"Mr. Mercedes," which King describes as his first hard-boiled detective tale, was published by Scribner in June 2014. "Mr. Mercedes" became an immediate No. 1 New York Times Bestseller upon its release. Shortly after the release of the novel, King announced that "Mr. Mercedes" was the first of a projected trilogy. The second novel, "Finders Keepers," was published by Scribner in June 2015 and the third novel, "End of Watch," was published by Scribner in June 2016.

AUDIENCE Network offers a compelling lineup of original, provocative content. Its growing slate of critically acclaimed original series includes:

MMA drama "KINGDOM," starring Frank Grillo and Nick Jonas

Crime drama "ICE," starring Cam Gigandet, Jeremy Sisto, Ray Winstone, and Donald Sutherland

"Poly-romantic" comedy "YOU ME HER," starring Greg Poehler, Rachel Blanchard and Priscilla Faia

Suspense-drama "ROGUE," starring Cole Hauser, Meaghan Rath and Ashley Greene

AT&T AUDIENCE Network is available on DIRECTV Ch. 239 or U-verse TV Ch. 1114 and via live streaming on the DIRECTV and U-verse apps and DIRECTV NOW.

About Sonar Entertainment

Sonar Entertainment is a multi-faceted independent creative company designed to meet today's ever-changing landscape in global television production and distribution. With headquarters in Los Angeles and offices around the world, Sonar is uniquely positioned to participate in a wide range of ways in order to create quality television series, miniseries and movies. The company has the capabilities to develop, produce, acquire, deficit finance, package and distribute product both internationally and domestically.

While primarily focused on the development and production of new product, Sonar is also the distributor of over 1,000 library titles comprised of award-winning programs from RHI Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment and Hal Roach Studios, among others.

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