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Lovecraft Country (TV series)

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Lovecraft Country
Genre
Based onLovecraft Country
by Matt Ruff
Developed byMisha Green
Starring
Music byLaura Karpman and Raphael Saadiq
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes1
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Christina Varotsis
  • Dana Robin
CinematographyTat Radcliffe
Editors
  • Marta Evry
  • Chris Wyatt
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time53–68 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseAugust 16, 2020 (2020-08-16) –
present (present)

Lovecraft Country is an American horror drama television series developed by Misha Green based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Matt Ruff. It premiered on August 16, 2020, on HBO.[2] The series is produced by Monkeypaw Productions, Bad Robot Productions, and Warner Bros. Television with executive producers including Jordan Peele, Green, J. J. Abrams, and Ben Stephenson. The story is about a young black man who travels across the segregated 1950s United States in search of his missing father, learning of dark secrets plaguing a town on which famous horror writer H. P. Lovecraft supposedly based the location of many of his fictional tales.

Premise

Lovecraft Country follows "Atticus Freeman as he joins up with his friend Letitia and his Uncle George to embark on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father. This begins a struggle to survive and overcome both the racist terrors of white America and the terrifying monsters that could be ripped from a Lovecraft paperback".[3]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

  • Jamie Harris as Eustace Hunt, the county sheriff.
  • Jordan Patrick Smith as William, Christina's henchman and lover.
  • Jamie Neumann as Hillary
  • Erica Tazel as Dora Freeman
  • Mac Brandt as Lancaster
  • Tony Goldwyn as Samuel Braithwhite, leader of "Sons of Adam" and patriarch of his family, who views people as assets and objects, and outsiders — including his daughter Christina — as inferiors.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byTeleplay by [5]Original air date [6]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Sundown"Yann DemangeMisha GreenAugust 16, 2020 (2020-08-16)0.760[7]
2"Whitey's on the Moon"[8]Daniel SackheimMisha GreenAugust 23, 2020 (2020-08-23)N/A
3"Holy Ghost"[9]Daniel SackheimMisha GreenAugust 30, 2020 (2020-08-30)N/A
4"A History of Violence"[10]Victoria MahoneyMisha Green
Story by : Wes Taylor		September 6, 2020 (2020-09-06)N/A
5"Strange Case"[11]Cheryl DunyeMisha Green and Jonathan Kidd & Sonya WintonSeptember 13, 2020 (2020-09-13)N/A
6"Meet Me in Daegu"[12]UnknownMisha Green and Kevin LauSeptember 20, 2020 (2020-09-20)N/A
7"I Am."[13]UnknownMisha Green and Shannon HoustonSeptember 27, 2020 (2020-09-27)N/A
8"Jig-A-Bobo"[14]UnknownMisha Green and Belinda Ihuoma OfordireOctober 4, 2020 (2020-10-04)N/A
9"Rewind 1921"[15]UnknownMisha Green & Jonathan Kidd & Sonya WintonOctober 11, 2020 (2020-10-11)N/A
10"Full Circle"[16]UnknownMisha Green
Story by : Belinda Ihuoma Ofordire		October 18, 2020 (2020-10-18)N/A

Production

Development

On May 16, 2017, it was announced that HBO had given a series order to Lovecraft Country. Executive producers include Misha Green, Jordan Peele, J. J. Abrams, and Ben Stephenson. Additionally, Green serves as the series' showrunner and wrote the pilot episode. Production companies involved in the series include Monkeypaw Productions, Bad Robot Productions, and Warner Bros. Television. It was reported that Peele originally brought the project to Bad Robot Productions and enlisted Green to develop the show.[17][18][19][20]

On March 5, 2018, it was announced that Yann Demange would direct and executive produce the pilot episode.[21][22][23]

Casting

On April 26, 2018, it was announced that Jurnee Smollett had been cast as the series' female lead.[24] On May 2, 2018, it was reported that Jonathan Majors had joined the main cast as the series' male lead.[25] A day later, it was reported that Wunmi Mosaku had also been cast as a series regular.[26] On June 19, 2018, it was announced that Aunjanue Ellis and Elizabeth Debicki had been cast as series regulars and that Courtney B. Vance had joined the series in a recurring capacity.[27] On October 10, 2018, it was reported that Michael Kenneth Williams had been cast in a leading role.[28] On June 14, 2019, it was reported that Abbey Lee had replaced Elizabeth Debicki in the role of Christina Braithwaite, whilst Jamie Chung and Jordan Patrick Smith had been cast in recurring roles.[29] On June 20, 2019, it was announced that Jamie Neumann, Erica Tazel, and Mac Brandt had been cast in recurring capacities.[30] In July 2019, Tony Goldwyn joined the cast.[31]

Filming

Principal photography for the series began on July 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.[32] Filming also reportedly took place at the Chicago Cinespace Film Studios[33] in Elburn, Illinois[34] and White Pines State Park in Mount Morris, Illinois,[35] at Blackhall Studios in Atlanta, Georgia and Macon, Georgia.[36]

Release

Lovecraft Country premiered on August 16, 2020, on HBO, and consists of ten episodes.[37][38][2]

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Lovecraft Country holds an approval rating of 97% based on 76 reviews, with an average rating of 8.86/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Anchored by Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Jonathan Majors' heroic performances, Misha Green's Lovecraft Country is a thrilling take on Lovecraftian lore that proves the Elder Gods aren't the only thing that goes bump in the cosmos."[39] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 80 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".[40]

Writing for The A.V. Club, Shannon Miller lauded the show's ability to balance Lovecraft's more problematic political views with "an appreciation for [his] unparalleled vision".[41] Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com pointed to the show's use of genre storytelling "to peel back layers of American history to reveal the systemic problems underneath it", while also describing it as "marvelously entertaining".[42] Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips, in reference to earlier, less successful attempts at adaptation of Lovecraft's works, said the show "succeeds where others have not" and commended the show on its themes, despite calling the five episodes available for early review "uneven".[43] In a more critical review, Daniel D'Addario of Variety wrote that "the violence of Lovecraftian horror is so extreme [...] that even the most evil impulses of humanity seem an inadequate counterweight".[44]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of Lovecraft Country
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Sundown" August 16, 2020 0.2 0.760[7] TBD TBD TBD TBD

References

  1. ^ Newby, Richard (August 16, 2020). "'Lovecraft Country': Inside the HBO Horror Drama's Chilling Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "New Drama Series LOVECRAFT COUNTRY Debuts August 16, Exclusively On HBO". WarnerMedia. July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  3. ^ Kreps, Daniel (May 1, 2020). "'Lovecraft Country': See First Trailer for Jordan Peele-Produced HBO Horror Series". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Lovecraft Country: Cast". HBO. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  5. ^ "Lovecraft Country". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  6. ^ "Lovecraft Country – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 18, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.16.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "(#02/102) "Whitey's on the Moon"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  9. ^ "(#03/103) "Holy Ghost"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  10. ^ "(#04/104) "A History of Violence"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  11. ^ "(#05/105) "Strange Case"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  12. ^ "Lovecraft Country 06: Meet Me in Daegu". HBO. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  13. ^ "Lovecraft Country 07: I Am". HBO. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  14. ^ "Lovecraft Country 08: Jig-A-Bobo". HBO. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  15. ^ "Lovecraft Country 09: Rewind 1921". HBO. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  16. ^ "Lovecraft Country 10: Full Circle". HBO. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  17. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (May 16, 2017). "'Get Out's Jordan Peele Teams With WBTV, HBO & Bad Robot For 'Lovecraft Country' Drama Series; Misha Green Writing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  18. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 16, 2017). "Jordan Peele to Produce HBO Series 'Lovecraft Country' With J.J. Abrams, Misha Green". Variety. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  19. ^ Sokol, Tony (May 16, 2017). "Jordan Peele to Produce Lovecraft Country for HBO". Den of Geek. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  20. ^ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (May 16, 2017). "Jordan Peele Teams With Bad Robot for HBO Drama Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 5, 2018). "'Lovecraft Country': Yann Demange To Direct HBO Series From Jordan Peele & J.J. Abrams". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  22. ^ Kit, Borys (March 5, 2018). "Yann Demange Joins Jordan Peele, J.J. Abrams for HBO's 'Lovecraft Country'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  23. ^ Boucher, Ashley (March 5, 2018). "Jordan Peele, JJ Abrams' HBO Series Adds Yann Demage". TheWrap. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  24. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 26, 2018). "'Lovecraft Country': Jurnee Smollett-Bell To Star In HBO Series From Jordan Peele, J.J. Abrams & Misha Green". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  25. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 2, 2018). "'Lovecraft Country': Jonathan Majors To Star In HBO Series From Misha Green, Jordan Peele & J.J. Abrams". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  26. ^ Petski, Denise (May 3, 2018). "'Lovecraft': Wunmi Mosaku Cast In HBO Series From Misha Green, Jordan Peele & J.J. Abrams". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  27. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 19, 2018). "'Lovecraft Country': Courtney B. Vance, Aunjanue Ellis & Elizabeth Debicki Join HBO Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  28. ^ Petski, Denise (October 10, 2018). "'Lovecraft Country': Michael Kenneth Williams Cast In HBO Series From Misha Green, Jordan Peele & J.J. Abrams". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  29. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 14, 2019). "'Lovecraft Country': Abbey Lee Joins In Recasting, Daniel Sackheim Set As EP/Director, Jamie Chung & Jordan Patrick Smith To Recur On HBO Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  30. ^ Petski, Denise (June 20, 2019). "'Lovecraft Country': Jamie Neumann, Erica Tazel & Mac Brandt To Recur On HBO Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  31. ^ Petski, Denis (July 10, 2019). "'Lovecraft Country': Tony Goldwyn Joins Cast Of HBO Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  32. ^ "Monday, July 16 Filming Locations for You're The Worst, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, The Chi, John Wick 3, & more! - On Location Vacations". On Location Vacations. July 15, 2018. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  33. ^ Patton, Daniel (July 9, 2018). "Cinespace adds new Chicago facility". Reel Chicago. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  34. ^ Bachman, Tyler (June 28, 2018). "Elburn Will Be Filming Site for New HBO Series Next Month". WSPY News. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  35. ^ "HBO gives sneak peak at 'Lovecraft Country' series, filmed in Mount Morris". WTVO. November 11, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  36. ^ Plaskowsky, Andrew (May 1, 2020). "HBO releases 'Lovecraft Country' trailer with shots of downtown Macon". WMAZ. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  37. ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (May 1, 2020). "HBO's Trip to Lovecraft Country Takes a Horrifying Turn in First Trailer — Watch". TVLine. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  38. ^ Seddon, Dan (May 2, 2020). "Star Wars' JJ Abrams unveils trailer for spooky new series Lovecraft Country". DigitalSpy. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  39. ^ "Lovecraft Country: Season 1 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  40. ^ "Lovecraft Country: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  41. ^ Miller, Shannon (August 7, 2020). "Lovecraft Country is a stunning, horrific look at a grotesque legacy". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 13, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ^ Tallerico, Brian (August 12, 2020). "HBO's Lovecraft Country is Wicked Smart Television". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  43. ^ Phillips, Michael (August 7, 2020). "'Lovecraft Country' review: the wild side of 'Green Book,' pulled from the guts of American racism". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 13, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ D'Addario, Daniel (August 7, 2020). "'Lovecraft Country' Uses Horror Traditions to Tell a Story of American Racism: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved August 13, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Template:Media based on H. P. Lovecraft works

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