Production Under Way on New Starz/Lionsgate Drama

BEVERLY HILLS: Production starts this week on Boss, an original drama from Starz and Lionsgate that features Kelsey Grammer playing a Machiavellian-type mayor of Chicago.

Grammer (Frasier) will play Chicago Mayor Tom Kane, with a supporting cast that includes Connie Nielsen (Gladiator, The Devil’s Advocate), Jeff Hephner (The O.C., Hellcats, Easy Money), Hannah Ware (Cop Out) and Kathleen Robertson (Girls Club, Beverly Hills, 90210, Hollywoodland).

The first episode is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gus Van Sant. The eight-episode series is slated for an exclusive debut on Starz in October.

“What drew us to Boss is its almost classical dramatic story, full of complex, complicated characters and a story that will be fun to follow,” said Carmi Zlotnik, Starz Media’s managing director. “Kelsey Grammer as Kane is the perfect match of actor and role, and having a great storyteller like Gus Van Sant at the helm means this series will be unique as well as entertaining.”
 
"We are thrilled to partner with Starz and to collaborate with incredible talents like Kelsey Grammer, Gus Van Sant, Farhad Safinia and the gifted producers that surround them: Brian Sher, Stella Stolper, Richard Levine and Lyn Greene,” added Kevin Beggs, the president of Lionsgate Television Group.