Note: This article has been updated to include the 61st Street trailer.
Ahead of its panel during the Summer 2021 Television Critics Association Press Tour, Shadow and Act has exclusive first-look photos from AMC Networks’ upcoming drama series, 61st street. The series stars Tosin Cole, Courtney B. Vance and Aunjanue Ellis.
The series is executive produced by Michael B. Jordan through his Outlier Society banner and was ordered as a two-season television event with eight episodes per season. Peter Moffat is the showrunner and also executive produces.
It is described as “a propulsive courtroom drama” following “Moses Johnson, a promising, black high school athlete, who is swept up into the infamously corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. Taken by the police as a supposed gang member, he finds himself in the eye of the storm as police and prosecutors seek revenge for the death of an officer during a drug bust gone wrong.”
“61st Street is an important commentary and observation of those impacted by the complicated history of race and the criminal legal system in America,” said Michael B. Jordan and former Outlier Society exec Alana Mayo in a previous statement. “Our admiration of Peter’s prior work and his personal experience with this subject matter are reasons we’re honored to be a part bringing it to life. We are lucky to have found an equally passionate partner in AMC.” Mayo is now president of Orion Pictures.
Moffat added, “Having spent ten years at the criminal bar and the last two years researching deep inside the criminal justice system in Chicago, this is a story I’ve been waiting to write all my professional life. ‘61st Street’ is a thriller – supple plotting and dynamic storytelling are central to everything – but race, politics, history, jurisprudence, and police culture are all fundamental to what this project is about and broaden its scope into what I hope will be a story for our times. Working alongside Alana Mayo and Michael B. Jordan makes me happy and humble and I’m very grateful to AMC for their amazing support.”
Check out the photos and trailer below:
