FROM THE PRODUCERS OF AWARD-WINNING
BREAKING BAD, PROJECT IS SUNDANCE CHANNEL’S
FIRST WHOLLY-OWNED PRODUCTION
PREMIERES SIMULTANEOUSLY ON SUNDANCE CHANNEL GLOBAL
New York, New York – October 31, 2011 – Further solidifying Sundance Channel’s commitment to high quality scripted programming, the channel today greenlit original scripted series Rectify with a six episode order. The hour-long legal drama was created and written by Academy Award winner Ray McKinnon (The Accountant) who also serves as executive producer on the project. The series represents the first wholly owned Sundance Channel scripted production. In addition, it will be the first project to premiere simultaneously on Sundance Channel in the United States and on Sundance Channel Global in countries throughout Europe, Asia and North America.
Veteran producers Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein of production company Gran Via will also serve as executive producers. This marks the second project for Johnson and Bernstein with AMC Networks. The first is AMC’s Emmy Award-winning series, Breaking Bad.
“An intense character driven drama, Rectify explores themes of justice, redemption and freedom, all set against the backdrop of a wrongful conviction,” says Sarah Barnett, Sundance Channel General Manager. “Sundance has always been about
creating opportunity for just this kind of distinctive storytelling. We’re so excited to collaborate with Gran Via, and to bring to life on our network Ray McKinnon’s singular vision for the world of Rectify."
Rectify follows the life of Daniel Holden upon his release from jail after serving nineteen years on Georgia’s Death Row before DNA evidence disputed the State’s original case. Holden, who was only eighteen years of age when convicted and sentenced to die for the brutal rape and murder of a sixteen year old girl, returns to his family and to his hometown where the murder occurred and where many still believe he is guilty. Daniel spent all of his adult life waiting to die. Now he must learn how to live again or decide if he even wants to while others choose whether or not he will have that chance.
Today’s news comes on the heels of Sundance Channel’s Golden Globe win and two Emmy nominations for original series Carlos. Additionally, the channel recently announced original scripted mini-series Appropriate Adult which will air on December 10th.
McKinnon is represented by attorney Bill Skrzyniarz of Skrzyniarz & Mallean, Rosalie Swedlin of Anonymous Content and Joe Cohen of CAA. Gran Via is represented by UTA.
About Sundance Channel
Sundance Channel is the destination for What’s Next, Now. Showcasing both today’s creative icons and the emerging talent of tomorrow, Sundance Channel tells credible, authentic, and emotionally immersive stories of Invention, Fashion, Film, Travel, Design, and Enterprise. Launched in 1996 and owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc, Sundance Channel provides perspectives dedicated to founder Robert Redford’s mission to celebrate creativity. sundancechannel.com
About AMC Networks Inc.
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming feed origination and distribution company.