AMC NETWORKS BUILDING "GREAT AMERICAN STORIES" TELEVISION FRANCHISE HONORING AMERICA'S MOST TALENTED WRITERS AND TIMELESS STORIES, STARTING WITH JOHN STEINBECK'S "THE GRAPES OF WRATH"
Anthology Series will Devote Each Season to a Compelling, Engaging Tale Highlighting a Classic American Story for AMC and AMC+
Rolin Jones Attached to Adapt The Grapes of Wrath and then Manage the Franchise, Working with Legendary Producer Mark Johnson
NEW YORK - April 7, 2025 - AMC Networks today announced it was developing a new television franchise produced by AMC Studios and built on iconic American stories, starting with John Steinbeck's timeless novel, The Grapes of Wrath. Each season of the anthology series will be devoted to a different celebrated work, historical moment, or individual narrative celebrating and highlighting the American spirit.
Rolin Jones (Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, Friday Night Lights, Boardwalk Empire) will adapt The Grapes of Wrath for AMC and AMC+ as the first season of this new series and then manage the franchise, working with acclaimed creative talent connected to individual seasons. Also attached to help launch and manage the franchise is legendary television and film producer Mark Johnson, who is overseeing the Anne Rice Immortal Universe and whose long list of film and television producing credits includes Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Halt and Catch Fire, Rectify, The Natural, Rain Man, Diner, Donnie Brasco, Galaxy Quest, Good Morning, Vietnam, The Notebook and The Holdovers.
"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," said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. "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."
"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," Jones said. "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."
"Never have I felt more professional pressure than in accepting this challenge to help translate some legendary American stories to the television screen," Johnson said. "I am utterly grateful to AMC for this invitation and truly indebted to Rolin for his trust in me. What a terrifying opportunity!"
About AMC Networks
AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) is home to many of the greatest stories and characters in TV and film and is the premier destination for passionate and engaged fan communities around the world. The Company creates and curates celebrated series and films across distinct brands and makes them available to audiences everywhere. Its portfolio includes targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK and HIDIVE; cable networks AMC, BBC AMERICA (which includes U.S. distribution and sales responsibilities for BBC News), IFC, SundanceTV and We TV; and film distribution labels IFC Films and RLJE Films. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its in-house studio, production and distribution operation behind acclaimed and fan-favorite original franchises including The Walking Dead Universe and the Anne Rice Immortal Universe; and AMC Networks International, its international programming business.
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