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The John Wells-produced drama will be the actor’s second for the cable network formerly known as Epix.
By Lesley Goldberg
Television Editor, West Coast
Forest Whitaker is going to pull double duty for MGM+.
The actor, who currently stars in the cable network’s Godfather of Harlem, has joined the cast of its suspense thriller Emperor of Ocean Park.
Based on author and law professor Stephen L. Carter’s novel, the series from writer and exec producer Sherman Payne (Shameless) is set in the world of politics and Ivy League academia and the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard. MGM+ says the show revolves around Talcott Garland (Grantham Coleman, Lawmen: Bass Reeves), “an Ivy League law professor whose quiet life is shattered when his father, Judge Oliver Garland, dies of an apparent heart attack. The nature of the judge’s death is questioned by Tal’s sister, Mariah (Tiffany Mack, Jessica Jones), a former journalist and inveterate conspiracy theorist, who believes that the judge, a failed Black nominee to the Supreme Court, met with foul play.”
Whitaker will play Judge Oliver Garland, who is described as the “patriarch of his family and a formidable figure in national politics and the judicial system. He is stern, intelligent, calculating, and proud. As a Black man in America, navigating unwelcoming and often hostile environments, he has formed a hard exterior — that he’s come to rely on as a shield. He is a devoted father whose commitment to his family simultaneously bolsters and undercuts his deeply and rigidly held conservative principles.”
“Forest Whitaker brings his unique gravitas and grace to every role he plays,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “We are beyond fortunate that Forest will inhabit the complex and layered role of Judge Oliver Garland, and once again put his unparalleled stamp on an MGM+ Original Series.”
Whitaker also leads the cast of the MGM+ series Godfather of Harlem, which has already been renewed for a fourth season at the premium cable network previously known as Epix.
“I’m incredibly excited for the legendary Forest Whitaker to join Emperor of Ocean Park,” said Payne. “Portraying the patriarch of our onscreen family, Forest brings thoughtfulness, leadership, and unimpeachable talent to an already incredible cast. Since the very first draft, Forest has been my dream candidate for this role, and it is truly humbling that we are now working together to bring this story to life.”
Emperor of Ocean Park hails from Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions. The drama reunites Payne with Wells after the duo previously collaborated on Showtime’s Shameless.
“We are delighted and honored to have Forest Whitaker joining the cast of Emperor of Ocean Park,” said Wells. “He’s who we always hoped would agree to play Judge Garland and his addition to our talented cast is very exciting.”
Damian Marcano (Lawman: Bass Reeves) will direct multiple episodes of the series, including the pilot. Exec producers include Wells, Payne, Marcano, Shukree Tilghman and John Wells Productions’ Erin Jontow. Payne, who also serves as showrunner, penned the pilot.
“I’m excited to be playing Judge Oliver Garland, and thank John Wells, Sherman Payne, and Michael Wright for this opportunity to join the cast and crew of Emperor of Ocean Park, as we bring Stephen L. Carter’s extraordinary novel to life,” said Whitaker.
Whitaker is repped by WME and Linden Entertainment.
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