Two years ago, Spectrum Originals and Paramount Network announced they were co-producing the limited series George & Tammy starring Golden Globe and Academy Award Winner Jessica Chastain as first lady of country music, Tammy Wynette, and Golden Globe Nominee, Academy Award Nominee, Chicagoan Michael Shannon as George Jones.
The limited series chronicles the country music power couple, Wynette and Jones, whose complicated relationship inspired some of the most iconic music of all time. After a nine-month exclusive run for Spectrum subscribers, George & Tammy will have a second window on ViacomCBS forthcoming streaming service and Paramount Network.
Chicago’s own Michael Shannon is having quite a year! The star-packed film Amsterdam, also starring Shannon, just hit theaters and we recently announced that a film he serves as Executive Producer, All Happy Families, is currently filming in Chicago. The acclaimed actor, producer, musician, and theatre director clearly has an affinity for Chicago since he spent much of his youth in the Windy City. After his parents divorce, he split his time between Chicago and Lexington, Kentucky, however he seemed to enjoy Chicago life more and attended Evanston Township High School.
In addition to Amsterdam and All Happy Families, Shannon has an animated series called Little Demon and he will be appearing in WBD’s much anticipated DC film The Flash in 2023.
Shannon made his film debut in 1993 with Groundhog Day in a small role where he played a wedding groom:
He then planted some roots in Chicago by becoming a founding member of A Red Orchid Theatre.
Chastain is thrilled to be a part of the project. She shared some exclusive first look photos from the series on her official Twitter account:
ALSO READ: All Happy Families filming in Chicago
Abe Sylvia (Dead to Me) serves as creator and executive producer along with executive producers Andrew Lazar (American Sniper), Josh Brolin and Chastain. David Glasser, David Hutkin and Bob Yari are executive producers from 101 Studios (Yellowstone) along with writer and executive producer Bryan Goluboff. The series is based on the book, The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George, penned by the couple’s daughter, Georgette Jones.
Remembered as the “First Lady of Country Music,” Tammy Wynette’s lyrics tackled real life issues including loneliness, divorce and heartbreak. Wynette’s most successful song Stand by Your Man is one of the most iconic and best-selling country singles by a female artist. Wynette’s 20 number one songs on the country charts cemented her place as one of the most influential women in music. Her tumultuous marriage to country superstar George Jones in 1969 gave life to iconic duets including, We’re Gonna Hold On, Golden Ring and Near You.
“I first read Abe’s feature script a few years ago and couldn’t get it out of my head — the examination of human frailty and redemption was so unexpected, given the glitz and glamour of the subject matter,” said Katherine Pope, head of Spectrum Originals. “We all thought we knew who Tammy Wynette was, but there is so much more to her that we never saw. Jessica brings her incredible depth of intelligence, empathy and strength to peel back all the layers of this country superstar. It’s an honor to work with this dream team — all the producers and our partners at 101 Studios and Paramount Network — we can’t wait to bring this incredible series to our viewers.”
“I’ve been a massive fan of George & Tammy’s iconic music since I was a kid, leading me to chase this incredible script by Abe for years,” said Keith Cox, President of ViacomCBS’s Entertainment & Youth Studios. “It’s a dream come true to have Jessica at the forefront of the complex tale behind Tammy Wynette. We are thrilled to share this series about two legends with the world on ViacomCBS forthcoming streaming service and Paramount Network.”
“We are thrilled to be able to bring this story to life,” said David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “This project has been a labor of love for everyone involved, especially Andrew (Lazar) and Jessica (Chastain). We first heard about it nearly seven years ago when it was pitched as a feature film. After Abe Sylvia’s success in television with Nurse Jackie and Dead to Me, we thought George & Tammy could also be re-envisioned as a series. With Abe at the helm of the project, Andrew producing, and Jessica attached to star, we can finally bring George and Tammy’s story to the screen.”
“I am humbled to bring this incredible story to life with the breadth it deserves and that the Charter platforms allow,” said Abe Sylvia. “Tammy Wynette is an American icon, and I can think of no one better to illuminate the woman behind the legend than Jessica Chastain. After having the honor of penning The Eyes of Tammy Faye for Freckle Films and Searchlight, I so look forward to another collaboration with her. This has indeed been a passion project for Andrew, Josh and me – and we are so grateful to our partners Katherine Pope, Keith Cox and David Glasser for tirelessly championing our labor of love.”
See the trailer here:
