Although AMC is in the midst of wrapping up Better Call Saul, another series starring Bob Odenkirk is in the works for the network. According to a report from Deadline, Bob Odenkirk is set to star in an upcoming AMC series adaptation of the novel Straight Man. Odenkirk will lead the series as William Henry Devereaux, Jr., who is the chairman of an English department in an underfunded Pennsylvania college. If everything goes according to AMC’s plans, the series will premiere sometime in 2023.
The Straight Man TV adaptation comes from Aaron Zelman and Paul Lieberstein, who are set to serve as the series’ showrunners. Zelman previously served as a supervising producer on HBO’s Silicon Valley; he also worked as a co-executive producer on Netflix’s Bloodline and AMC’s The Killing. Although Lieberstein’s name might not be familiar to many audiences, his face certainly is. Lieberstein is best known for playing the role of Toby Flenderson on The Office, which he also served as an executive producer for. His other executive producing credits include Netflix’s Space Force, The Newsroom, and Ghosted.
Straight Man is a 1997 novel written by Richard Russo. It features a mid-life crisis story that focuses on the main character, William Henry Devereaux, Jr. Throughout the story, Devereaux Jr. must come to terms with failing his younger self and more while navigating a divided and dramatic English department at a small college.
Bob Odenkirk’s Thoughts on Straight Man
AMC’s Straight Man series will be Bob Odenkirk’s third for the network after Breaking Bad and its spinoff, Better Call Saul. Despite suffering from a heart attack last year, Odenkirk appears committed to continuing his excellent work as an actor for AMC’s Straight Man. In speaking on his casting, Bob Odenkirk commented on the development of the series, stating:
I loved Paul and Aaron’s take on Richard’s excellent, entertaining novel. Once again a project with AMC with a focus on character depth and sensitivity. This milieu (academia) seems very pertinent to the conversations we’re all having. I am drawn to the tone of humanity and humor in the novel and I look forward to playing this role – something lighter than my recent projects but still closely observed and smart.
For more updates on Bob Odenkirk and AMC’s Straight Man, check back with us at The Nerd Stash!