Jeremy Strong will star in and executive produce 9/11, a Paramount+ limited series that follows the landmark lawsuit involving 9/11 first responders. The series has entered production
The series’ official description describes the case as “a relentless legal battle that lasted nearly a decade to secure nearly $1 billion in compensation for first responders who became critically ill in the aftermath of 9/11.” Strong will play class action lawyer Jason Smith. “He is a man who staked everything on a strong organization, exposing the politics, greed, corruption and betrayal that exacerbated the tragedy that betrayed the extraordinary unity and unflinching courage of the first responders as the World Trade Center collapsed.”
9/12 is written and executive produced by Tobias Lindholm and Frank Pugliese. Lindholm will also direct.
The series, created with Sister, is the first original production during the Paramount Skydance merger that transferred control of Paramount+ and Paramount TV Studios, with Cindy Holland named direct-to-consumer chairman, Jane Wiseman as head of direct-to-consumer original production, Dana Goldberg as chairman of Paramount Television Studios, and Matt Tournell as president of Paramount Television Studios.
“The great American historian David Halberstam once wrote about September 11, 2001, ‘On a day when the worst of humanity was revealed, the best of humanity responded,'” Strong said in a statement. “9/12″ is a story about the best among us: the first responders whose official response time on 9/11 was five seconds. This is a story about a moment of unity and unity in this divided country, where we rebuilt ourselves and out of the rubble we rose again. But it’s also about how our educational institutions failed to respond to the heroes we swore we would never forget when we needed them most. “9/12” is a story about justice, the restoration of human dignity, and the real-life heroes of this country who must never be forgotten. Tobias Lindholm is one of the world’s greatest screenwriters and directors, and he has the depth, restraint, honesty, clarity, and power to honor this story. ”
“Although rooted in the unprecedented attacks of September 11, 2001, ‘9/12’ speaks to a struggle far beyond that day. It asks what happens when people who risk everything are abandoned by the very institutions that were supposed to protect them,” Lindholm said. “This series is a testament to human strength and perseverance in the face of unimaginable adversity. It is precisely that tension that compelled me to tell this story.”
Wiseman said, “This project is a reminder of why storytelling is important. Working with visionaries like Tobias, Frank and Jeremy has set the tone for the ambitious and resonant stories Paramount+ will champion.”
“Tobias has created a story of a heroic underdog, and I know Jeremy will bring it to life beautifully. I’m thrilled to be reunited with Frank and equally proud to partner with Sister on this timeless story as Paramount+’s first limited series,” said Tunell.
