Harsh Vardhan
The production of MGM+’s ‘The Emperor of Ocean Park’ will commence in Chicago early next year. Immersed in the realms of politics, Ivy League academia, and the coastal landscapes of Martha’s Vineyard, the series revolves around Talcott Garland, an Ivy League law professor who leads a peaceful life. His world is disrupted when his father, Judge Oliver Garland, passes away from an apparent heart attack. The circumstances surrounding the judge’s death come under scrutiny by Tal’s sister, Mariah, a former journalist and devoted conspiracy theorist. Mariah is convinced that their father, a thwarted Black nominee to the Supreme Court, may have fallen victim to foul play.
‘Shameless’ writer Sherman Payne developed the 10-episode series based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Stephen L. Carter. Multiple episodes of the mystery drama will be directed by Damian Marcano, known for helming multiple episodes of ‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.’ John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television teamed up for the production of the show.
Grantham Coleman takes on the pivotal role of Talcott Garland in the series, with Tiffany Mack portraying Mariah Denton and Paulina Lule stepping into the character of Kimmer Madison Garland, Tal’s wife and a formidable lawyer on the brink of a federal judgeship.
Coleman featured in Paramount+’s Western series ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves,’ playing the role of Edwin Jones. Additionally, the actor is part of the cast of Netflix’s George C. Wolfe drama ‘Rustin,’ along with Colman Domingo, and plays a key character in the third season of Starz’s crime drama ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan.’ His repertoire includes a role in the Oscar-nominated Netflix feature ‘Bardo,’ directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Mack, on the other hand, played Zaya Okonjo in ‘Jessica Jones’ and Capt. Brie Campbell in ‘SEAL Team.’ Lule’s recent releases include ‘She Watches from the Woods’ and ABC’s soap opera ‘General Hospital.’
Originally published in 2002, Carter’s novel was preemptively optioned in 2001 by Warner Bros., John Wells Productions, and Gaylord Films. Previous attempts at adaptation include a film by Stephen Schiff and Carl Franklin, along with a pilot developed by Katori Hall for Fox in 2015. As production kicks off in Chicago in a few months, we can anticipate the series to debut in late 2024. The city previously hosted the production of Netflix’s ‘The Killer’ and FX on Hulu’s ‘The Bear.’
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