SPECTRUM ORIGINALS, AMC NETWORKS AND PLATFORM ONE MEDIA TURN ON THE LIGHT FOR "BEACON 23"
SCI-FI THRILLER FROM CREATOR ZAK PENN TO AIR ON SPECTRUM AND AMC
Los Angeles, Calif. (October 30, 2020) - Spectrum Originals and AMC Networks announced the pickup of the psychological thriller BEACON 23. Set in the darkest recesses of space, the series is a suspenseful thriller and love story, where two people are trapped in a lighthouse at the end of the known universe. Co-commissioned by Spectrum Originals and AMC Networks, co-produced by Spectrum Originals and Platform One Media (a Boat Rocker company), the series comes from creator Zak Penn (Ready Player One, The Avengers) and is based on the book of the same name by The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Hugh Howey. After a nine-month exclusive run for Spectrum, BEACON 23 will be an AMC original with a second window across AMC Networks platforms.
"BEACON 23 is a series in a class all its own - it's a thriller, it's a love story, it's a character drama, it's a sci-fi exploration of our own interconnectivity and disconnection, and it's been beautifully adapted by the brilliant Zak Penn," said Katherine Pope, Head of Spectrum Originals. "We have the perfect partners in Platform One Media and AMC to help Zak bring this series to life."
"Zak's vision in adapting Hugh Howey's incredible novel BEACON 23 is electrifying," said Katie O'Connell Marsh, Platform One Media Chairman and CEO. "We are so happy to be producing this series for Spectrum Originals and AMC."
"Fantastic IP. The great Zak Penn creating and showrunning. Amazing partners in Spectrum Originals and Platform One Media. We can't wait to bring this iconic and compelling series to life," said Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks Entertainment Group and co-president of AMC Studios.
"The notion of a lighthouse in outer space grabbed me the second I looked at the cover of Hugh Howey's BEACON 23," said Zak Penn, creator, executive producer, and showrunner. "Once I read all the other pages, I knew I had a story I could translate to another medium. For the past two years, with Hugh's help and the generous indulgence of our wonderful partners at Spectrum Originals, Platform One Media and AMC, I've been able to assemble an incredible group of scientists, astronauts, and many of my ideal collaborators to help create an entire universe for this show. It's a very exciting project for me, and I'm glad to be working again with Ira Behr, one of the best minds in Television, and definitely the best beard."
Zak Penn serves as creator, executive producer, and showrunner, along with executive producers Ira Steven Behr (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Outlander and The 4400) and Katie O'Connell Marsh & Elisa Ellis for Platform One Media.
About Spectrum Originals
Spectrum Originals is a premier destination for premium original series available exclusively to Spectrum video subscribers on-demand and ad-free. An initiative of Charter Communications, the service launched in 2019 with the Sony and Bruckheimer-produced drama "L.A.'s Finest," starring Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba. Currently in production is Hitchcockian thriller, "Angela Black," created and produced by Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R)-winning producers Harry and Jack Williams and starring Golden Globe Winner(R) Joanne Froggatt, along with co-production "The Second Wave," a six-episode drama series from Robert and Michelle King and CBS Studios. Upcoming projects include a limited series co-production with Paramount Network, "George & Tammy," starring Oscar(R) nominee Jessica Chastain as country music legend Tammy Wynette, and "A Spy Among Friends," a period thriller created by Alexander Cary and produced in partnership with Sony and Britbox UK (the streaming service created by ITV). Currently airing on the platform are the Mark Strong-led thriller "Temple" along with popular limited series "Mad About You," "Manhunt: Deadly Games" and "Paradise Lost." More information on Spectrum Originals can be found at http://press.spectrumoriginals.com/
About Charter
Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 30 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, the company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet(R), TV, Mobile and Voice.
For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business(R) delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach(R) delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals. More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter.com.
About AMC Networks
Known for its groundbreaking and celebrated original content, AMC Networks is the company behind the award-winning brands AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films. Its diverse line-up of popular and critically-acclaimed series and independent films include Killing Eve, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead, which has been the #1 show on ad-supported cable television for ten consecutive years, as well as Portlandia, Brockmire, Love After Lockup, and the films Boyhood, Death of Stalin, and many more. Its original series Mad Men and Breaking Bad are widely recognized as being among the most influential and acclaimed shows in the history of TV. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its production business; AMC Networks International, its international programming business; the subscription streaming services Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, and UMC; and Levity Entertainment Group, the Company's production services and comedy venues business. For more information, visit http://www.amcnetworks.com.
About Platform One Media
Platform One Media is a Los Angeles-based global television production and distribution studio acquired by Boat Rocker Media in September 2019. P1 has a series in production at Apple with Simon Kinberg and David Weil and also a series at Showtime called "Rust" starring Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney and created by academy award nominated writer Dan Futterman. In addition, P1 sold series at Amazon starring Dakota Johnson created by Christy Hall and to be directed and executive produced by Carrie Brownstein (through P1's first look deal with Dakota Johnson's TeaTime Pictures). P1 also had first looks deals with Laura Dern (Jaywalker Pictures) and Misha Green (Olio). Veteran television executive Katie O'Connell Marsh is the Founder and Chairman and spearheads the company's activities.
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