The drama is a present-day reimagining of the iconic 1980 feature film starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton. Bernthal will play Julian Kaye, who is introduced 15 years after he's been arrested for murder and struggling to find his footing in the modern-day Los Angeles sex industry, while seeking the truth about the set-up that sent him to prison all those years ago and also hoping to reconnect with Michelle, his one true love.
The drama also stars Gretchen Mol, Rosie O'Donnell, Lizzie Brocheré, Gabriel LaBelle, Leland Orser and Wayne Brady.
David Hollander wrote and directed the pilot. He executive produces with Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed. Bernthal serves as a producer. Paramount Television Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television produce.
"If you haven't already fallen under the spell of Jon Bernthal, get ready," said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks. "Jon absolutely owns the screen with his searing, brooding and vulnerable performance in this contemporary version of American Gigolo. Writer/director David Hollander brilliantly reimagines the seductive original film, confronting the mystery, the exhilaration and the danger of our deepest desires."
