LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – British actor Christian Cooke has been cast in the period drama “Magic City” for U.S. cable network Starz.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is in final talks to close a deal to play the lead on the show, which is about the political and criminal machinations of 1960s Miami.
The series — from Miami native Mitch Glazer — is set at the fictitious Miramar Hotel, a stand-in for the famed Fontainebleau, where the hotel’s owner Ike Evans (Morgan) must deal “with the Mob, his complicated family and a city in the midst of dramatic change as Fidel Castro takes control in Cuba,” according to the log line. Cooke will play Danny, one of Evans’ sons.
“Magic City” begins shooting soon in Miami and is targeted for a 2012 bow. Starz has committed to ten episodes.
Glazer, who will also executive producer, has written numerous big-screen features including “Scrooged,” “The Recruit” and 1998 film version of “Great Expectations.”
Morgan is perhaps best known to U.S. television audiences for his recurring roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” (as a heart transplant patient and Izzie’s love interest) and “Supernatural” (as the mysterious father of Sam).
Cooke starred last year in the Ricky Gervais-directed “Cemetery Junction” and the British drama “The Promise.”
