Stephen L. A television adaptation of Carter’s best-selling novel “Emperor of Ocean Park” has been ordered for a 10-episode series at MGM+.
The suspense thriller, set in the world of politics, Ivy League education, and the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard, focuses on Talcott Garland, an Ivy League law professor whose quiet life is shattered when his father, Judge Oliver Garland, dies. It turns out to be a heart attack. The nature of the judge’s death has been questioned by Tal’s sister, Maria, a former journalist and fanatical conspiracy theorist, who believes that the judge, a failed black nominee to the Supreme Court, met with foul play.
“The Emperor of Ocean Park is much more than a murder mystery,” Michael Wright, head of MGM+, said in a statement. “While it’s an entertaining whodunit in its own right, it also explores important themes of middle- and upper-class black identity, making it an excellent addition to MGM+’s engaging and thought-provoking original series.”
“Emperor of Ocean Park” comes from executive producer and writer Sherman Payne (“Charm City Kings,” “Shameless”).
“Stephen L. Carter’s best-selling novel sets a new standard for stories about power, race, politics and money,” Payne said in a statement. “It is extremely rare to see black people portrayed in these settings and I am confident that audiences of all backgrounds will be entertained by the extraordinary portrayal of the Garland clan and the intrigue involving them. John Wells Productions for bringing this remarkable mystery to the screen , I’m thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. and MGM+,,
The series is produced by John Wells Productions (JWP) in association with Warner Bros. Television, where JWP is under an overall deal.
“We are extremely excited to join forces with their talented team to produce Sherman Payne’s thrilling adaptation of Emperor of Ocean Park,” Welles said. “It has been a dream of ours to bring Stephen Carter’s novel to television, and we are grateful to Michael Wright, Nancy Cotton, and everyone at MGM+ for giving us the opportunity to introduce viewers to the dangerous world of Judge Garland and his complex, extraordinary Gave. Family,,
Wells, Payne, Damian Marcano (“Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”), Shukri Tilghman and JWP’s Erin Jonto will serve as executive producers.
Payne, who will also serve as showrunner, wrote the first episode, which will be directed by Marcano, who is set to direct several episodes.
Payne is represented by WME, Entertainment 360 and McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Carter and Novel are represented by Lynn Nesbitt and Bob Buchman of Janklow & Nesbitt. Marcano is represented by Rothman Brecher Eric Livingston and Joel Vanderkloot.
