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HBO has ordered the Dustin Hoffman-starring pilot Luck to series. Luck, from Michael Mann and David Milch, takes a provocative look at horse racing – the owners, gamblers, jockeys and diverse gaming industry players. Production is set to begin this fall at Santa Anita Park and other Los Angeles locations.
“Michael Mann delivered a pilot from David Milch’s brilliant script that took our breath away,” said HBO’s programming president Michael Lombardo. “We are truly excited that these two artists, and our extraordinary cast headed by Dustin Hoffman, will be bringing Luck to life.”
The cast for the pilot, penned by Milch and directed by Mann, also includes Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Kevin Dunn, Richard Kind, Jason Gedrick, Ritchie Coster, Ian Hart, Tom Payne, Kerry Condon, Gary Stevens and Nick Nolte. Jill Hennessy guest stars. Milch, Mann and Carolyn Strauss execitive produce, with Henry Bronchtein co-executive producing and Hoffman producing.
Luck joins another high-profile new HBO drama series from a big filmmaker and a top TV writer, Martin Scorsese/Terence Winter’s Boardwalk Empire, which stars Steve Buscemi. The network also has two pilots from A-listers, Bill Condon’s Tilda, starring Diane Keaton, Jason Patric and Ellen Page, and John Logan/Kathryn Bigelow’s Miraculous Year starring Norbert Leo Butz, Hope Davis and Frank Langella.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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Can’t wait to see this show!! What a cast….
I am mentally salivating in anticipation of “Luck”.
Looks like Boardwalk Empire and A Game of Thrones are going to be the next Sopranos and Rome. Steve Buscemi is a great choice for the mob boss. He was wonderful on The Sopranos.
Don’t know how they’ll handle it, but horse racing is an amazing industry. Interesting from just the owner’s perspective since I think they get “rights” or royalties from not only their horse, but offspring etc. and values increase/decrease due to a number of factors. Lot’s of history and characters involved. Attended a party where a die hard gambler ran into a passionate investor/owner resulting in discussions about stats, horses, etc.
Hoffman and Mann are two of the most consistently brilliant and demanding artists working today. Not only am I now eagerly anticipating their series, I would kill to be able to cover them creating it.
Wow, way to step out on a limb and take a chance on those kids. Really HBO, what a gamble.
If they need a turnkey set there is a HUGE unused race track in Mays Landing NJ – about 10 miles inland from Atlantic City. Used to be a prime horse racing site but they went dead when gambling came in. Think they have a flea mart there once in a while.
Wow, that’s great news! That Heather Pagano sure is a great actor!!
Richard Kind is a fine actor. Amazing in “A Serious Man.”
What a trio. Holy crap! Imagine the staff writer that gets a gig on this show will either be set for life or creatively paralyzed.
TOM PAYNE IS MY IDOL
Nick Nolte fits.
Dustin Hoffman wouldn’t know the ass-end of a horse from a wheel-barrow except for being with the “rich and famous” for a race or two…but I’ll sure watch.
Actually he had horses and his kids rode back in Westchester……
hey take it easy on dustin , so he’s not used to racetrack hours , that takes a life time ! one more thing he’s our producer and horseracing needs a shot in the arm , lets hope this sparks a much needed interest in OUR sport , ” THE SPORT OF KINGS “
Something to look forward to…
Milch is a God and will get the most from his cast.
Milch and his team always deliver the goods. Please bring back “Deadwood”
I’m so excited that a horse racing series is coming out RIGHT WHEN WE NEED IT MOST. we need to lure fresh young minds into our world and get them just as hooked and as passionate as WE are.
Just a guess, but being a fan of Milch and a HUGE fan of Deadwood, my experience tells me that this series however good or bad it turns out to be, will be anything BUT a sunny advertisement for the wonderful world of horse racing. The darkest, seediest, most nasty couldn’t-even-fathom-how-rotten-people-could-be kind of show is a little more Milch’s style.
It’ll be interesting to see how this shakes out. Cuz ther are some very strong egos involved in this production. Mann basically gangstered Milch out of the pilot’s production. Will that continue when they go to series?
A series about horse racing? Am I the only person in the world not excited by this?
I’m thrilled to see a quality show with a horse racing theme. Jack – if you are not excited by this, I suspect it is because you are unfamiliar with what a fascinating sport it is. Too bad, someone should take you behind the scenes sometime and give you a look. The backstretch (i.e. horsemen and racetrackers) are a colorful and storied bunch.
I couldn’t agree more Liz. I am also have hope for this series after reading that thoroughbred racing is one of David Milch’s passions. I hope he exposes the dark side of racing, but I also wish that he shows those that love the horses, such as the exercise riders, the grooms, and those trainers that never partake in immoral (and amoral) choices regarding their horses.
Horse racing should make a very good vehicle for a series. Give it a watch. Don’t be the south end of a north-bound horse.
“David Milch” …… with his story & words ….. it’s already a Hit.
I know, right? Like John From Cincinnati! Or Last of the Ninth!
This series needs Milch. He’s a big racing fan and horse owner and I’m sure this is a labor of love for him. His best horse, Gilded Time, had a cameo in the 1st episode of NYPD Blue.
So exciting – I just hope HBO doesn’t hook us for a couple of seasons then drop the series cold like they did Deadwood.
Big fan of everything Mr. Milch has ever done. Wonder if the Dustin Hoffman character is totally fictional, or perhaps based on someone real from the world of High Finance & Fast Horses?
And best of all a David Milch script. Yoweee. . .
Hopefully you mean Jason GEDRICK!!! We’ve been waiting FOREVER for him to be back on TV Still can’t believe they didn’t keep him on Desperate…..he was the only interesting male on that show – never to be replaced with a hottie. Can’t wait – if it’s J GEDRICK you mean. gl
I absolutely agree! Jason is completely underrated, he is a gifted and gorgeous actor. I miss him on Desperate also (and frankly I don’t think anyone can replace him), but I am very excited to see him on Luck! Just impatient, September 2011 seems so far away…
Yes GL! You are so right. I am so excited Jason Gedrick is part of such a great project. He is definitely one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. And I look forward to his star shining bright. Not to mention, I would love to let his parents know he is the most handsome man in Hollywood. And has such great character. Best Wishes Jason!- SLT
can,t wait till this come out too see me and all my buddy where all in it
Hopefully they can depict the Jockeys well. I would like it to be shown that is is not as glamorous as it seems along with the few great moments. Paying agents and valets, and then taxes. Hustling in the morning. Riding horses that are pushed by trainers beyond their limits and break down in the race while all spectators are watching. And if you are a female, I hope they show how trainers are malicious and perverted. I am a female jockey and I dont have much to say for the people of the business. But, I love the horses. Lets see how well this series does.
Dang Stacy! Obsessed much with Jason Gedrick?!?! Definitely!