“The Get Down” executive producer Baz Luhrmann told the TCA summer press tour that he always wanted to honor those he portrayed in the new Netflix series.
“I always knew it wasn’t my story,” Luhrmann said. “At one stage I was going to do it as movie. … I realized that it was too epic. It was too vast.”
He also shared the story of how he first conceived the idea for the show, which oddly enough happened in Paris.
“I saw a framed photograph of these two kids in a hip-hop stance,” he said. “I remember thinking in that moment, ‘How did so much creativity come from New York in that moment in that time?'”
The show focuses on 1970s New York City: “broken down and beaten up, violent, cash strapped — dying,” per the streaming service’s description. “Consigned to rubble, a rag-tag crew of South Bronx teenagers are nothings and nobodies with no one to shelter them — except each other, armed only with verbal games, improvised dance steps, some magic markers and spray cans.”
The musically themed drama is led by “Dope” star Shameik Moore as Shaolin Fantastic — who may have the best character name in TV history — as well as newcomers Tremaine Brown Jr., Justice Smith and Skylan Brooks, playing a group of teenagers who run wild in the streets of the late-1970s Bronx.
“The Get Down” also stars Herizen Guardiola as Mylene Cruz, whose strictly religious father (Giancarlo Esposito) forbids her from singing the disco music she loves.
The series is also executive produced by Nas, Catherine Martin, Paul Watters, Thomas Kelly, Stephen Adly Guirgis and Marney Hochman.
“The Get Down” premieres on Netflix on Aug. 12.
11 Summer TV Shows We Cannot Wait to See (Photos)
Saturday, June 11 "OJ: Made in America" (ABC/ESPN) at 9 p.m./8c
The ESPN documentary does the damn-near impossible - it reminds you of the long-lost days when Simpson was a hero. By highlighting not only his athletic achievements but also how he broke through color lines, the five-part documentary series underscores how stunning it was to see Simpson, in 1994, in the new role of accused killer. For those who only remember Simpson as a defendant, this documentary might be absolutely mind-blowing.
People have long suspected that members of Congress have no brains, and this new series looks to prove that suspicion. "The Good Wife" creators Robert and Michelle King are back at CBS with this quirky political comedy in which politicians' brains are being eaten by a parasitic organism. Add to that intriguing premise proven operators like Mary-Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Tveit, and Tony Shalhoub and you have the potential hit on your hands
CBS
Friday, June 17 "Orange Is the New Black" (Netflix) at 12:01 a.m.
Much has been written about this ambitious Netflix series: its powerful female characters, award-winning performances, excellent writing and compelling storylines. Season 4 need only do more of the same to keep up the tradition of fandomonium that has surrounded this show since it began
Wednesday, June 22 "American Gothic" (CBS) at 10 p.m./9c
Rich people behaving badly goes to extremes with CBS' miniseries about a family full of secrets - not the least of which is that one of them may be a mysterious serial killer responsible for at least six murders that have plagued Boston for years. The fact that it's a miniseries means "American Gothic" will be solving its myriad of mysteries. We hope.
Getty Images
Sunday, June 26 "Roadies" (Showtime) at 10 p.m./9c
Cameron Crowe is back to doing what he knows best: storytelling and rock'n'roll. Fans of "Almost Famous" should be able to get behind this series, which follows the road crew of a touring rock band. Look for Crowe's signature blend of heart, humor, and music to make this one stand out
Tuesday, June 28 "Dead of Summer" (Freeform) at 9 p.m./8c
What better way to spend the summer than with a slasher-horror series set at a 1980s summer camp led by "Lost" alum Elizabeth Mitchell? From "Once Upon a Time" duo Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, "Dead of Summer" follows a (doomed) group of teenagers attempting to reopen Camp Stillwater five years after its closing due to a series of suspicious deaths. "Pretty Little Liars" may be heading into its endgame this summer, but Freeform's new murder mystery series looks like it could be a worthy replacement.
Freeform
Sunday, July 10 "The Night Of" (HBO) at 9 p.m./8c
James Gandolfini's passion project is finally coming to fruition on HBO. The actor died after filming the pilot for "The Night Of," though discussions began soon afterwards to replace him in the central role of attorney Jack Stone. Riz Ahmed plays a Pakistani man accused of killing a girl in New York City, with John Turturro in the Gandolfini role, and Gandolfini is getting a posthumus executive producer credit, alongside writer Richard Rice and director Steve Zaillian.
HBO
Sunday, July 17 "Vice Principals" (HBO) at 10:30 p.m./9:30c
HBO has already gotten some of the best out of Danny McBride, and the pay-TV network is going back to its "Eastbound & Down" well to recapture the comedy magic. This time, McBride and co-star Walter Goggins compete to replace their school principal, played by Bill Murray. The summer series has comedy street cred and a promising power struggle plot line -- we'll find out next month if it proves to be more "The Foot Fist Way" or "Your Highness."
Friday, July 22 "BoJack Horseman" (Netflix) at 12:01 a.m.
"BoJack Horseman" isn't just one of the funniest animated comedies going, it's straight-up one of the funniest sitcoms around, live, drawn or otherwise. But "BoJack" is also pretty deep -- about as deep as a half-human/half-animal cartoon can be. The voice cast is as terrific as the low-rent-but-unique animation is, boasting the work of Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Aaron Paul, Alison Brie and Paul F. Tompkins. "BoJack" is the somewhat-hidden gem of Netflix, and be sure to watch the Christmas special annually at Yuletide!
Netflix
Friday, August 12 "The Get Down" (Netflix) at 12:01 a.m.
"Moulin Rouge" director Baz Luhrmann said he's been developing the idea for his first TV series, "The Get Down" for over a decade, and all signs point to it being time well-spent. Set in 1970s New York City, Luhrmann's hotly anticipated musical drama follows a rag-tag group of friends living in the South Bronx as turmoil in the city leads to the birth to hip-hop, punk and disco.
Wednesday, August 31 "You're the Worst" (FX) at 10 p.m./9c
Stephen Falk's "You're the Worst" debuts its third season on FXX this summer, and continues to be one of the most underrated comedies on the air. Starring Chris Geere and Aya Cash as a pair of curmudgeons learning to be in a relationship, "You're the Worst" deepened its storytelling last season with a deftly handled depression arc that proved the show has a promising future even beyond its initial premise
FX
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Returning shows like ”Orange Is the New Black“ and new ones like ”The Get Down“ look to make this a watchable season
Saturday, June 11 "OJ: Made in America" (ABC/ESPN) at 9 p.m./8c
The ESPN documentary does the damn-near impossible - it reminds you of the long-lost days when Simpson was a hero. By highlighting not only his athletic achievements but also how he broke through color lines, the five-part documentary series underscores how stunning it was to see Simpson, in 1994, in the new role of accused killer. For those who only remember Simpson as a defendant, this documentary might be absolutely mind-blowing.
ESPN
CBS
