MGM Television Signs Get Shorty Creator & Showrunner to Overall Deal

Get Shorty creator and showrunner Davey Holmes has inked an overall deal with MGM Television to write and develop series.

Under the multiyear deal, the next project Holmes is developing for the studio is Fear & Loathing, an officially authorized series based on the life of prolific author and journalist behind the gonzo journalism movement, Hunter S. Thompson. Holmes will be the showrunner on the project, with Bob Nelson (The Confirmation, Nebraska) writing.

Holmes’ first collaboration with MGM Television was Get Shorty, a reimagining of Elmore Leonard’s 1990’s New York Times best-selling novel of the same name starring Chris O’Dowd and Ray Romano. The show premiered on EPIX in August and was recently renewed for a second season.

Mark Burnett, president of the television group and digital at MGM, said: “As we look to the future of MGM Television, it is imperative that we forge long-term relationships with creators who have an eye for dynamic storytelling. Davey is tremendously talented and has demonstrated that he can deliver quality programming that will resonate with viewers.”

MGM’s president of television production and development, Steve Stark, added, “It’s been a joy to work with Davey on the successful first season of Get Shorty and I am thrilled that he has chosen to continue his collaboration with us on more installments of this wonderfully distinct series and on the many new projects we already have in the works.”

“After resisting overall deals for years, I couldn’t be more excited or proud to be embracing this one,” said Holmes. “It’s a partnership with a studio that makes some of the most exciting television out there. I can’t say enough about the intelligence, daring creativity and overall support MGM has brought to our collaboration.”