MGM+ has given the green light to American Classic, an eight-episode comedy series starring Academy Award winner Kevin Kline. Created by Michael Hoffman (Soapdish, Restoration, The Last Station) and Bob Martin (The Prom, Slings and Arrows), the show will bring Kline back to the small screen in a leading comedic role. Hoffman is also set to direct the pilot.
The series follows Richard Bean, a self-absorbed Broadway legend whose career takes an unexpected nosedive, forcing him to return to his hometown. There, he discovers that the once-prestigious family-run theater, now managed by his brother Jon Bean (played by The Closer’s Jon Tenney), has devolved into a dinner theater specializing in murder mysteries and roast beef specials. Determined to reclaim his legacy, Richard embarks on a grand—and inevitably chaotic—mission to revive both the town and the stage, placing himself at the center of a production he deems worthy of his talents.
The project marks a reunion for Hoffman and Kline, who previously worked together on Soapdish and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The series is being produced by FIFTH SEASON alongside Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story, and Anonymous Content. Hoffman, Martin, and Ellen Fairey will serve as executive producers, joined by Kline, Leslie Urdang, Anthony Bregman, Miriam Mintz, and others. Production is scheduled to begin in New Jersey in 2025.
MGM+ head Michael Wright expressed enthusiasm for the series, calling it “hilariously funny and deeply poignant,” while co-creators Hoffman and Martin highlighted their lifelong love of theater and their excitement about working with Kline, whom they described as “one of the world’s supreme comic talents.”
Kline, a three-time Tony Award winner and American Theater Hall of Fame inductee, has built an acclaimed career spanning stage and screen, with notable roles in Sophie’s Choice, A Fish Called Wanda, The Ice Storm, and Dave. He most recently starred alongside Cate Blanchett in Alfonso Cuarón’s Apple TV+ series Disclaimer and voiced the beloved character Mr. Fischoeder in Bob’s Burgers.
Tenney, an experienced actor in film, television, and theater, is best known for his work on The Closer, Scandal, and Newsroom. His film credits include Tombstone, You Can Count on Me, and Rabbit Hole, and he has directed multiple episodes of The Closer and its spin-off Major Crimes.
With its mix of sharp humor, theatrical drama, and a powerhouse cast, American Classic is poised to bring an entertaining and heartfelt story to MGM+ audiences.
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