Mr. Mercedes (TV series)
Mr. Mercedes | |
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Genre | |
Based on | Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King |
Developed by | David E. Kelley |
Starring |
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Opening theme | "It's Not Too Late" by T Bone Burnett (season 1) "I Shall Not Be Moved" by Mississippi John Hurt (season 2) |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 17 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 49–57 minutes |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | Audience |
Release | August 9, 2017 present | –
Mr. Mercedes is an American crime drama television series based on the Bill Hodges novel trilogy by Stephen King, which consists of Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch. The series premiered on Audience on August 9, 2017. It was developed by David E. Kelley and stars Brendan Gleeson and Harry Treadaway. In October 2017, Audience renewed the series for a 10-episode second season, which premiered on August 22, 2018.
Premise
Retired detective Bill Hodges is still haunted by the unsolved case of "Mr. Mercedes," who claimed sixteen lives when he drove a stolen Mercedes through a line of job-seekers at a local job fair. Meanwhile, brilliant young psychopath Brady Hartsfield, the real Mr. Mercedes, reemerges to focus his attention on Hodges. What begins as an online cat-and-mouse game between the two soon has deadly real-life consequences as an increasingly desperate Hartsfield becomes bent on leaving his mark on the world.
Cast and characters
Main
Actors are credited among main cast only in the episodes in which they appear.
- Brendan Gleeson as Bill Hodges, a retired detective
- Harry Treadaway as Brady Hartsfield
- Kelly Lynch as Deborah Hartsfield (season 1)
- Jharrel Jerome as Jerome Robinson
- Scott Lawrence as Peter Dixon (seasons 1–2), a detective
- Robert Stanton as Anthony "Robi" Frobisher (season 1)
- Breeda Wool as Lou Linklatter
- Justine Lupe as Holly Gibney
- Mary-Louise Parker as Janey Patterson (season 1)
- Holland Taylor as Ida Silver
- Jack Huston as Felix Babineau (season 2), a doctor
- Maximiliano Hernandez as Antonio Montez (season 2), an assistant district attorney
- Tessa Ferrer as Cora Babineau (season 2), the wife of Dr. Felix Babineau and head of marketing at a major pharmaceutical corporation
Recurring
- Ann Cusack as Olivia Trelawney (season 1)
- Katharine Houghton as Elizabeth Wharton (season 1), Olivia and Janey's mother
- Nancy Travis as Donna Hodges, Bill's ex-wife
- Makayla Lysiak as Barbara Robinson, Jerome’s sister
- Virginia Kull as Sadie McDonald (season 2), a nurse who cares for Brady
Episodes
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||
1 | 10 | August 9, 2017 | October 11, 2017 | |
2 | 10[1] | August 22, 2018 | TBA |
Season 1 (2017)
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Jack Bender | David E. Kelley | August 9, 2017 |
2 | 2 | "On Your Mark" | Jack Bender | David E. Kelley | August 16, 2017 |
3 | 3 | "Cloudy, With a Chance of Mayhem" | John Coles | A. M. Homes | August 23, 2017 |
4 | 4 | "Gods Who Fall" | Jack Bender | Dennis Lehane | August 30, 2017 |
5 | 5 | "The Suicide Hour" | Jack Bender | Bryan Goluboff | September 6, 2017 |
6 | 6 | "People in the Rain" | Jack Bender | Dennis Lehane | September 13, 2017 |
7 | 7 | "Willow Lake" | Jack Bender | Dennis Lehane | September 20, 2017 |
8 | 8 | "From the Ashes" | Laura Innes | Bryan Goluboff | September 27, 2017 |
9 | 9 | "Ice Cream, You Scream, We All Scream" | Kevin Hooks | Bryan Goluboff | October 4, 2017 |
10 | 10 | "Jibber-Jibber Chicken Dinner" | Jack Bender | Dennis Lehane | October 11, 2017 |
Season 2 (2018)
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [2] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 1 | "Missed You" | Jack Bender | Dennis Lehane | August 22, 2018 |
12 | 2 | "Let's Go Roaming" | Jack Bender | David E. Kelley | August 29, 2018 |
13 | 3 | "You Can Go Home Now" | Jack Bender | Mike Batistick | September 5, 2018 |
14 | 4 | "Motherboard" | Jack Bender | Samantha Stratton | September 12, 2018 |
15 | 5 | "Andale" | Peter Weller | Alexis Deane & Sophie Owens-Bender | September 19, 2018 |
16 | 6 | "Proximity" | Laura Innes | Bryan Goluboff & Alexis Deane | September 26, 2018 |
17 | 7 | "Fell On Black Days" | Jack Bender | Samantha Stratton & Mike Batistick & Dennis Lehane[a] | October 3, 2018 |
18 | 8 | "Nobody Puts Brady in a Crestmore" | Jack Bender | Samantha Stratton & Mike Batistick & Dennis Lehane[a] | October 10, 2018 |
19 | 9 | "Walk Like a Man"[3] | Unknown | Unknown | October 17, 2018 |
20 | 10 | "Fade to Blue"[3] | Unknown | Unknown | October 24, 2018 |
Production
Development
In 2015, Sonar Entertainment optioned the screen rights to Stephen King's novel Mr. Mercedes with the intent of developing into a limited series. David E. Kelley was set to write the series while Jack Bender would direct. Executive producers were expected to include Kelley, Bender, Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, and Gene Stein. Production companies involved with the series were to include Temple Hill Entertainment and Sonar Entertainment.[4]
On May 25, 2016, it was announced that Audience had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes. The previously announced creative team was still expected to be involved. In addition to writing and executive producing, David E. Kelley was also announced to be serving as the series' showrunner. Additional executive producers announced included Christopher Long, Bart Peters, Jenna Glazier, and Tom Patricia.[5] On May 11, 2017, it was announced that the series would premiere on August 9, 2017.[6]
On October 10, 2017, the Audience Network renewed the series for a second season consisting of ten episodes. It will be based on the three novels in the Bill Hodges trilogy, Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers and End of Watch.[1] On April 15, 2018, it was announced that the second season would premiere on August 22, 2018.[7]
Casting
Alongside the series order announcement, it was confirmed that Brendan Gleeson and Anton Yelchin had been cast in the series' two lead roles.[5] Following Yelchin's death in June 2016, it was announced that his role had been recast with Harry Treadaway assuming the part.[8] In December 2016, it was announced that Kelly Lynch and Ann-Margret had been cast in the series.[9][10] In January 2017, it was reported that Jharrel Jerome, Justine Lupe, and Breeda Wool, Scott Lawrence, Robert Stanton, and Ann Cusack had joined the main cast, that Mary-Louise Parker was cast a recurring character, and that Ann-Margret's role had been recast with Holland Taylor following an illness in Ann-Margaret's family.[11][12][13][14][15][16] On April 25, 2017, it was reported that Stephen King would have a cameo in the series.[17]
In January 2018, it was announced that Jack Huston, Maximiliano Hernandez, and Tessa Ferrer had been cast as series regulars in season two.[18][19]
Filming
In February 2017, principal photography for the first season began in Charleston, South Carolina.[20] That month, filming took place in the Wagener Terrace area of the city as well as at the Upper King Street restaurant Little Jack's Tavern.[21][22] Filming concluded for the first season by the end of May 2017.[23]
In January 2018, Audience announced production for season two would commence the following month in South Carolina.[24]
Release
Marketing
On May 8, 2017, Audience released a series of "first look" images from the series.[25] On June 5, 2017, Audience released a "behind-the-scenes" video for the series featuring interviews with the cast and crew.[26] The following day, the first teaser trailer for the series was released.[27] By the end of the month, Audience released a set of promotional photographs featuring the series' main cast.[28]
On July 19, 2018, the series held a panel at San Diego Comic-Con in San Diego, California to promote season two. The panel featured executive producer and director Jack Bender as well as series stars Jack Huston, Max Hernandez, Breeda Wool, Justine Lupe, and Nancy Travis.[29] On July 30, 2018, the official trailer for season two was released.[30]
Distribution
The series airs on RTÉ1 in Ireland,[31] on Canal+ in Poland,[32] and on Starzplay in the United Kingdom.[33]
Reception
Critical response
The first season of Mr. Mercedes has been met with a positive response from critics. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an 85% approval rating with an average rating of 6.28 out of 10 based on 27 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Mr. Mercedes propels its tense, creepy narrative with quick-witted dialogue, strong characters, and terrifying surprises."[34] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 71 out of 100 based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[35]
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Saturn Awards | Best Action-Thriller Television Series | Mr. Mercedes | Nominated | [36][37] |
Notes
References
- ^ a b Erik, Pedersen (October 10, 2017). "'Mr. Mercedes' Renewed For Season 2 On Audience Network". Deadline. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- ^ "Mr. Mercedes - Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ^ a b "Mr. Mercedes Season 2 - TV on Google Play". Google Play TV. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 13, 2015). "David E. Kelley Writing Stephen King's 'Mr. Mercedes' As Limited Series For Sonar". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ a b Goldberg, Lesley (May 25, 2016). "'Mr. Mercedes' Series, Starring Brendan Gleeson, Anton Yelchin, Lands at Audience Network (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (May 11, 2017). "'Mr. Mercedes': Audience Network Sets Summer Premiere For David E. Kelley's Stephen King Adaptation". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (April 16, 2018). "'Mr. Mercedes' Cast & EP Talk Complexity Of Characters, Reveal Season 2 Premiere Date – The Contenders Emmys". Deadline. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- ^ Stanhope, Kate (October 13, 2016). "'Mr. Mercedes' Series: Harry Treadaway Tapped to Replace Anton Yelchin (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (December 13, 2016). "Kelly Lynch Joins 'Mr. Mercedes' Audience Network Series Based On Stephen King Book". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Stanhope, Kate (December 21, 2016). "Ann-Margret Joins Audience Network's 'Mr. Mercedes' Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Stanhope, Kate (January 19, 2017). "Audience Network's 'Mr. Mercedes' Series Adds 'Moonlight' Actor (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Stanhope, Kate (January 24, 2017). "Mary-Louise Parker Joins 'Mr. Mercedes' Series in Recurring Role (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 27, 2017). "Justine Lupe Joins Audience Network's 'Mr. Mercedes' & 'Snowfall' On FX". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 28, 2017). "'Mr. Mercedes': Breeda Wool Joins Audience Network Drama Series". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Stanhope, Kate (January 18, 2017). "Audience Network's 'Mr. Mercedes' Series: Holland Taylor to Replace Ann-Margret (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 30, 2017). "'Mr. Mercedes' Sets Cast Led By Brendan Gleeson & Harry Treadaway". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Squires, John (April 25, 2017). "Stephen King Will Cameo in "Mr. Mercedes" TV Series - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 11, 2018). "'Mr. Mercedes': Jack Huston & Maximiliano Hernandez Join Season 2 Cast". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 19, 2018). "'Mr. Mercedes': Tessa Ferrer Cast In Season 2 Of Audience Network Series". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Bolster, Karina (February 9, 2017). "Stephen King's 'Mr. Mercedes' kicks off Charleston film production for 2017". Live 5 News. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Spence, Sam (February 2, 2017). "Stephen King adaptation Mr. Mercedes filming downtown in Wagener Terrace". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Spence, Sam (February 15, 2017). "Mr. Mercedes spotted shooting at Little Jack's Wednesday". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ "Last call for Mr. Mercedes casting". Live 5 News. May 23, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ "AT&T AUDIENCE Network Starts Production on Second Season of Critically Acclaimed Original Series "Mr. Mercedes"". PR Newswire. January 11, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Squires, Josh (May 8, 2017). "Here's the First Look at "Mr. Mercedes" TV Series - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Squires, Josh (June 5, 2017). "Here's the First Footage from "Mr. Mercedes" TV Series - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Miska, Brad (June 6, 2017). "Teaser for Stephen King's "Mr. Mercedes" Taunts a Police Officer with a Tennis Ball - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Miska, Brad (June 30, 2017). "Meet All of the Characters from Stephen King's "Mr. Mercedes" - Bloody Disgusting". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ "Comic-Con 2018 TV Schedule: When Are Your Favorite Shows Taking Over San Diego?". Variety. June 25, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (July 30, 2018). "'Mr. Mercedes' Trailer: First Look At Season 2 Of AT&T Audience Network Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ "RTE One on Twitter". Twitter. September 19, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ "Mr. Mercedes on Canal+ Poland". Canalplus.pl (in Polish). Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ White, Peter (July 4, 2018). "AT&T Audience Network's 'Mr Mercedes' Heads To UK Via Starz' Digital Service Starzplay". Deadline. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "Mr. Mercedes: Season 1 - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ "Mr. Mercedes: Season 1 - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (June 28, 2018). "'Black Panther' Tops 44th Saturn Awards With Five; 'Blade Runner 2049' , 'Shape Of Water', 'Get Out' Also Score". Deadline. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
External links
- 2010s American television miniseries
- 2017 American television series debuts
- Television programs based on American novels
- English-language television programs
- Television programs based on works by Stephen King
- 2010s American drama television series
- Television shows filmed in South Carolina
- Television shows set in Cleveland
- American thriller television series
- Audience (TV network) series
- Television series created by David E. Kelley