Before Emmy nominee Harris Yulin passed away on June 10, he had been cast in a leading role in MGM+’s upcoming comedy series American Classic. Following his untimely death, the role of Linus Bean will now be played by Len Cariou (Blue Bloods, About Schmidt).
Created by Michael Hoffman and Bob Martin, American Classic is an 8-episode series centered on Broadway star and notorious narcissist Richard Bean (played by Kevin Kline). After a spectacular public meltdown, Richard returns to his hometown and the family-run theater where he first discovered his talent. There, he finds his father, Linus Bean (Cariou), the former artistic director, struggling with age and the theater, now run by Richard’s brother Jon (Jon Tenney) and his wife (Laura Linney), the town’s mayor, downgraded to a low-rent dinner theater. Richard resolves to revive the theater and town by staging a great American classic on the dinner theater stage, which he will direct and star in.
Key Cast and Characters:
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Len Cariou as Linus Bean: Richard and Jon’s father, an actor, puppet maker, and founder of the Millersburg Festival Theater.
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Sean Dino Johnson as Clarence/Joe Crowell: A dedicated theater lover balancing two jobs and hoping to join the Our Town production.
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Johnny McKeown as Hugo Booth: Richard’s devoted assistant from NYC, trying to manage Richard’s flaws.
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Phillip Johnson Richardson as Heath McCardle: Touring company member and heartthrob cast as George in Our Town.
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Billy Eugene Jones and Andrea Jones-Sojola as Mr. and Mrs. Pat Paterson: A married couple involved in the theater with personal struggles impacting their relationship.
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Yaegal T. Welch as Dr. Derek Seale: The local obstetrician whose medical advice the cast often relies on.
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Joseph Morales as Jeff Jeffries: Bank loan officer who discovers a passion for theater.
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Matt McGrath as Kenny Klaus: Town undertaker and longtime fan of Richard and the theater.
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Terry Walters as Tina/Mrs. Gibbs: Community member who steps in during the production of Our Town.
Previously announced cast members include Jessica Hecht as Polly and Elise Kibler as Nadia Romanova.
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Production Details:
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Executive Producers: Michael Hoffman, Bob Martin, Ellen Fairey, Kevin Kline, Leslie Urdang, Anthony Bregman, Miriam Mintz, David Levine, Garrett Kemble, Jon Tenney (co-EP).
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Co-Producer: Kevin Cotter.
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Studios: Fifth Season, Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story, and Anonymous Content.
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Filming: Scheduled to begin in 2025 in New Jersey.
Representation:
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Len Cariou — Paradigm and Alan Siegel Entertainment
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Sean Dino Johnson — Buchwald and Black Bear
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Andrea Jones-Sojola — Station 3 Entertainment
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Yaegal T. Welch — Nicolosi & Co.
American Classic promises a heartfelt yet humorous exploration of family, theater, and small-town dynamics with a stellar cast led by Kevin Kline and Len Cariou.
