Showtime announced Thursday that it has picked up “City on a Hill,” a new one-hour drama pilot executive produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and set in the duo’s favorite city.
The idea, based on an original premise by Affleck and lead writer Chuck MacLean (“Boston Strangler”), takes place in the early 1990s when Boston was filled with criminals and corrupt law enforcement.
“City on a Hill” is a fictional account of what is called the “Boston Miracle,” or as it is technically known, Operation Ceasefire, which was a new policing initiative that focused on gun violence and problem areas.
At the center of the story is an African-American District Attorney that comes in from Brooklyn and forms an alliance with a corrupt but venerated FBI veteran who wants to maintain the status quo.
“‘City on a Hill’ is a gritty thriller about severe corruption and gangs, the type of series that takes you back and centers around the crime-riddled streets of Boston in the early 90s,” said executive producer Jennifer Todd in a statement.
James Mangold (“Logan”) is also an executive producer. The pilot will be directed by Gavin O’Connor (“The Accountant”), who is also executive producing.
“We are excited to be a part of this project with Showtime and to partner with Gavin again,” Todd continued.
O’Connor added that MacLean wrote a tense script with a lot of complexity.
“Chuck wrote a pressure-cooker of a script steeped in the tribal codes of a Shakespeare play — family, blood, betrayal, honor. His take on the ties that bind is handled with a deep honesty and insight. I see the show as a brawling thriller — and an intimate family drama — played out on the rough streets of Boston,” he said.
Affleck and Damon became Oscar winners with their screenplay, “Good Will Hunting,” which was also set in Boston. The pair — who have Boston-based roots — have starred in and have been at the helm of multiple projects based in the city, including “The Departed,” “The Town,” and others.
20 Famous New England Patriots Fans, From Ben Affleck to Mark Wahlberg (Photos)
Super Bowl LIII, the big number 53, is upon us, and fans all over the country will tune in to see the New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams. If you're rooting for the Patriots this weekend, here's a rundown of the good, famous company you'll be in when you do. And if you're a Rams fan, here's a quick celebrity enemies list so you can rub it in their faces on Twitter.
Gisele Bündchen
It’d be a lot more interesting if the Brazilian supermodel who had also married Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady in fact was not a Patriots fan. Unfortunately, and predictably, she is.
Mark Wahlberg
It’s crazy obvious, right? Everyone knows about Marky Mark’s Boston background. Wahlberg shows up for plenty of games, sitting on the sidelines or hanging out with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. He's also pals with Tom Brady, who appeared on Wahlberg's show "Entourage."
Ben Affleck
Let’s keep right on going with “Famous Massachusetts natives who do that accent in movies.” Batfleck, who was born in California but grew up in Cambridge, Mass., somewhat angrily defended Tom Brady over that whole “Deflategate” scandal. He takes the Patriots pretty seriously.
Matt Damon
Matt “How do you like them apples” Damon is also a Massachusetts native, and a big-time Patriots guy. He also talked about Deflategate on TV like Affleck, but with a bit more chill. Still, Damon’s known to wear Pats gear, hang out at games, and get photographed wearing Super Bowl rings.
Lea Michele
Although she's a New Yorker, singer and star of "Scream Queens" and "Glee" Lea Michele has said she's always been a Patriots fan. Tom Brady might have something to do with it, as might the team's many championship wins.
Aly Raisman
The Olympic gymnast and gold medalist is Boston born and raised. On Jan. 20, Raisman tweeted her support when the Patriots beat the Kansas City Chiefs to make it to the Super Bowl. "Gooooooo Pats!!!! Unbelievable. #BOSTON #GOAT" she wrote.
Elton John
The Patriots' logo might call up images of the Colonies' revolt against the crown, but England-born Sir Elton doesn’t let it keep him from cheering for the Pats. John is friends with owner Robert Kraft, and in 2009 when the Pats played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at London’s Wembley Stadium, the Patriots made him honorary team captain.
Elizabeth Banks
Another native of Massachusetts, Banks watched her Patriots defeat the Seahawks in Super Bowl 49 from the celebrity box at University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona. You can often track her thoughts on the Patriots on Twitter, where she regularly tweets during games.
Kofi Kingston
WWE star and New Day tag team member Kingston was born in Ghana, but moved to Boston in his youth. He’s a big Patriots fan, and he told Patriots.com he gets up to some football-themed trash-talking during the season. That might be a change of pace from the regular trash-talking wrestlers get up to all the time.
Paul Pierce
Former Los Angeles Clippers forward Pierce started his NBA career with the Boston Celtics. He’s still part of the Patriots Nation, and took to Twitter to show off the Patriots gear he was sporting during the AFC Championship game in January 2017.
Steven Tyler
Aerosmith is a Boston band, and Steven Tyler is a Patriots fan. The singer has performed a couple of national anthems at Patriots games, in 1999 and again at the 2012 AFC Championship game, where he famously wore a sparkly Patriots scarf.
Maria Menounos
Former "Extra" host Menounos is a well-known Patriots fan. Her dedication sometimes costs, though: She lost a bet on the Pats with "Extra" correspondent AJ Calloway when the New York Giants defeated them in Super Bowl 46. The punishment was appearing on TV in a Giants bikini.
Conan O’Brien
Conan’s from Boston, and he attended Harvard. After four Super Bowl wins, Conan finally declared himself a Patriots fan in a video for the NFL in the run up to Super Bowl 49. He’s actually a lifelong fan of the team, and before Super Bowl 51 pitted the Falcons against the Pats on his show — playing video games.
Chris Evans
Yup, Captain America is, somewhat fittingly at least from a branding standpoint, a Patriots fan. Evans, a Boston native, famously made a bet with fellow Marvel alumnus Chris Pratt when Evans’ Patriots took on Pratt’s Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 49. Loser had to visit a children’s charity in the winner’s city dressed in their Marvel universe costume. Evans won, but both visited kids at Boston’s Christopher’s Haven, a charity for kids battling cancer.
Michael Chiklis
Last year, "The Shield" and "Gotham" actor Chiklis introduced a new member of his family: Tom Brady. That was the name he gave his new pug, just in time for the 2017 Super Bowl.
Jon Bon Jovi
Though he's from New Jersey, Bon Jovi has grown to become something of a Patriots superfan over the years. He even gave the team permission to use his band's song, "This Is Our House," during games.
Julie Chen Moonves
Though she'd rather watch the games from the comfort of her own home, Chen admits to a personal connection to the Patriots. "I'm a big Tom Brady fan. Robert Kraft is a personal friend of ours -- so there's also that, you know. I have to be honest."
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John Krasinski
Although Jim Halpert may have been an Eagles fan, this Boston native bleeds red, white and blue. "It's fun to be from a place that has so much and legendary sort of sports stories to tell my daughter one day very soon." He even appeared alongside Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chris Evans in a Jimmy Kimmel skit lampooning Deflate-gate.
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Mindy Kaling
This "Office" and "Mindy Project" alum let her support be known after the Patriots defeated the Jaguars in the AFC Championship. "Very excited people in this household regarding the outcome of the football game @Patriots #SuperBowl."
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John Cena
Cena was bummed that his busy WWE schedule kept him from staying in Houston for Super Bowl LI. "The fact that the Patriots are consistently great, amidst all the controversy...they just always play really well. They're a down-to-business team. Not a lot of flash, not a lot of flare. The Belichick postgame press conference pretty much says it all. I like that, because the rest of the league hates it."
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If you want to see what stars will be rooting against the Patriots, check out this gallery of A-list Rams fans.
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Batman and Captain America are among those cheering on The Pats this Sunday at Super Bowl LIII
Super Bowl LIII, the big number 53, is upon us, and fans all over the country will tune in to see the New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams. If you're rooting for the Patriots this weekend, here's a rundown of the good, famous company you'll be in when you do. And if you're a Rams fan, here's a quick celebrity enemies list so you can rub it in their faces on Twitter.
