Channel 4 is bringing George Clooney and Hugh Laurie new drama, Catch-22, to UK audiences.
Based on the celebrated novel of the same name written by Joseph Heller, the series also stars Christopher Abbott and Kyle Chandler and is executive produced and directed by Clooney.
“Catch-22” follows the story of Captain John Yossarian (Abbott), a US air force soldier in World War II who can’t understand why thousands of people who have never met him want to kill him.
Yossarian is a rebellious and fearful anti-hero, who is trying to survive the war against the odds. Desperate to impress his superiors, Colonel Cathcart (Chandler) keeps raising the numbers of the missions his men have to fly. Yossarian is driven half-mad by his will to live.
He wants to complete his service and leave, but his efforts are blocked by Catch-22; a ridiculous bureaucratic rule which states that pilots don’t have to fly if they are certified insane, but unfortunately for the men the same rule also states that being driven mad by fear is a rational emotion, which therefore means the individual is sane and able to carry on with the mission.
Clooney will play the role of Scheisskopf, a training commander based at the cadet school in California. Scheisskopf isn’t the most likeable man; he’s not the type of person who puts his cadets’ interests before his own career. He’s ambitious, but also inept. Laurie will play Major de Coverley.
“I’m very excited to be working with Channel 4 to bring the classic Catch-22 to their channel. I couldn’t think of a better place to be doing this,” said George Clooney.
Ian Katz, Director of Programmes, Channel 4, added; “It’s hard to imagine a work that speaks more directly to the frequently absurd times we live in, and to the growing sense of individual distrust of institutions, than Catch-22.
“David Michôd and Luke Davies have produced a script that crackles with irony, anger and humanity. I’m thrilled that it will be a part of our stellar 2019 drama offer.”
“We are very excited to be bringing this exceptional new series to the UK through this agreement with Channel 4,” said Dan Cohen, President, Worldwide Television Licensing, Paramount Pictures.
“With an outstanding cast and award-winning creative team, we are confident that this adaptation of ‘Catch-22’ will resonate with a wide international audience.”
“Catch-22” is produced for Hulu by Paramount Television, Anonymous Content, Clooney and Grant Heslov (Argo) on behalf of Smokeshouse Pictures, along with Richard Brown (“True Detective”) and Steve Golin (Spotlight) from Anonymous Content.
Luke Davies (Lion) and David Michod (Animal Kingdom) are co-writing and Executive Producing the series alongside Clooney.
Channel 4 is contributing to select aspects of the development of the project.
Ellen Kuras (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) will be directing the series with Clooney and Heslov.
The series is set to air on Channel 4 in 2019.
