Milo Ventimiglia has been cast as the lead in the HBO Max cop drama pilot American Blue. Additionally, David Ayer has joined the project as director.
The official logline reads, “Born and raised son Brian ‘Milk’ Milkovich (Ventimiglia) returns to his hometown of Joliet, Illinois, to rescue a beleaguered police force while seeking redemption for himself.” Milk has been described as “a naturally determined leader who is quietly determined and trying to find a second chance in the place he left behind.”
Ventimiglia is best known for his role as Jack Pearson on “This Is Us,” which ran for six seasons on NBC from 2016 to 2022, and is repped by WME, Entertainment 360, Vision PR and McKin Frankel Whitehead. Ayer, who directed films such as “Suicide Squad” (2016) and “Fury” (2014), is repped by WME and David Weber and Tom Collier of Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern, LLP.
The one-hour drama “American Blue” will be written by Jeremy Carver, who will serve as executive producer along with Brian Udovich and Neil Reynolds. Ventimiglia will serve as co-executive producer and his producing partner Russ Cundiff will serve as producer. The studio is Warner Bros. Television, where Carver has an overall contract.
“‘American Blue’ will transport viewers to a gritty, authentic police drama that reflects the myriad challenges in today’s policing,” Sarah Aubrey, head of original programming at HBO Max, said in a statement. “As with The Pit, our goal for a long season allows viewers to immerse themselves deeply into this world over multiple episodes and return to it year after year. With Milo Ventimiglia in the lead role and David Ayer directing the pilot, we can’t wait to see Jeremy Carver’s vision for American Blue come to life.”
“We are thrilled to have Milo and David join American Blue,” said Clancy Collins White, President of Creative, Warner Bros. Television. “Milo’s dynamic on-screen presence and David’s keen observational skills are a perfect match for the complex, character-driven drama that Jeremy has created. We look forward to watching this trio bring Milk’s journey to life.”
Deadline first reported the news.
