MGM+ Jon Hamm drama rolls out to buyers

Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT’s) Jon Hamm thriller American Hostage is to be rolled out across MGM+ in key global markets.

Originally commissioned by MGM+ in the US, the anthology series will also roll out across the service in the UK, Germany, Spain (second window), Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Latin America.

SPT has closed deals with HBO Max (France, Central and Eastern Europe, and Poland), Movistar Plus+ (Spain), Telia Estonia (Estonia), Telia Play (Lithuania), Tet+ (Latvia), Stan (Australia), Sky New Zealand, and beIN across the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

Starring Mad Men’s Jon Hamm as Indianapolis radio reporter Fred Heckman, the 8 x 60-minute factual drama will reveal what happened when hostage-taker Tony Kiritsis demanded to be interviewed on his popular radio news show.

Based on the first season of the scripted podcast of the same name, it is co-created and executive produced by Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers.

“We are thrilled by the exceptional level of demand American Hostage has already generated across the global marketplace,” said SPT’s co-president, distribution & networks Jason Spivak.

“At LA Screenings, we look forward to introducing this gripping, character-driven story to additional platforms and continuing to build on its strong momentum worldwide.”

Global head of MGM+ Michael Wright added: “The combination of prolific producers Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers, a singular talent like Jon Hamm, and our partners at Sony Pictures Television, is a match made in MGM+ heaven.

“This is a fascinating story about real people engaged in a real-time life-or-death struggle to keep a desperate hostage situation from spinning out of control, and we’re thrilled to bring it to audiences around the world.”