The man who brought Family Guy, American Dad and the film Ted alive, Seth MacFarlane, will now embark upon a new series starring Patrick Stewart. Starz has greenlight the show for two seasons, 20 episodes.
Blunt Talk will feature Stewart as Brit Walter Blunt, who sets out to take over U.S. news. MacFarlane, who will executive produce, created the show with Bored to Death’s Jonathan Ames, who will write and produce. Starz CEO Chris Albrecht calls him a “borderline alcoholic, mad-genius-Brit the man you want fighting in America’s corner.”
“I’m beyond thrilled to be working with Jonathan Ames and Sir Patrick Stewart. Jonathan’s creative talent is formidable, and his writing style is wholly original, hilarious, and provocative,” said MacFarlane in a statement upon the announcement, EW reports. “And of course, Patrick Stewart is one of the greatest actors alive today. His skill and versatility are unmatched, and he will excel as the star of his own show. Thank you Starz for allowing us to bring Walter Blunt to life!”
Stewart, who will next be seen in X-Men: Days of Future Past with Jennifer Lawrence, has worked with MacFarlane before on American Dad. BBC News notes this is his first regular television series role since he appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1987-1994.