WGN America and Tribune Studios, the flagship network and studio of Tribune Company (TRBAA:OTC), announced Monday a multi-channel premiere event for the original scripted drama “Manhattan,” produced by Lionsgate Television, Skydance Television, and Tribune Studios.
The series will debut Sunday, July 27 (9:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CT) on WGN America with encore telecasts on Tribune stations in 33 markets nationwide on premiere night, including WPIX / New York, KTLA / Los Angeles, WGN / Chicago, WPHL / Philadelphia and WDCW / Washington, DC.
Following the multi-channel event, the series, created and written by Sam Shaw (“Masters of Sex”) and directed by Emmy Award-winning director Thomas Schlamme (“The West Wing”), will continue its 13-episode run on WGN America at its regular time, Sundays at 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT.
Set against the backdrop of the greatest race against time in the history of science — the mission to build the world’s first atomic bomb — “Manhattan” follows the brilliant but flawed scientists and their families in Los Alamos as they attempt to coexist in a world where secrets and lies infiltrate every aspect of their lives.
Leading up to the premiere of “Manhattan,” WGN America will offer a revealing look at the fortified, secret suburban society of 1940s Los Alamos with the half-hour, original special, “The Manhattan Project: Beyond the Bomb” as told by Shaw, Schlamme and the cast, along with former residents, historians and expert scientists.
The special premieres Friday, July 4, on WGN America, followed by airings on Tribune stations nationwide.
Fourth of July weekend also launches the “Manhattan” multi-platform awareness campaign, including billboards, digital spectaculars, national print and promos and soaring aerial displays.
Evoking the Manhattan Project’s ever-present tone of secrecy and fear of espionage, the campaign features provocative propaganda art with the messages “Don’t Talk,” “Tell Nobody, Not Even Her,” and “Silence Keeps Them Safe.”
Bringing viewers an in-depth look at “Manhattan,” The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles will host a panel discussion with the “Manhattan” cast and creative team, streamed live at http://paley.me/live on Wednesday, July 9, at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET.
Additionally, “Manhattan” co-branded charging stations will power up on the show floor of San Diego Comic-Con 2014, July 24-27.
In the premiere episode of “Manhattan,” “You Always Hurt the One You Love,” airing Sunday, July 27 (9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT) on WGN America, secrets dominate every facet of family and professional life as scientists Frank Winter (Hickey) and Charlie Isaacs (Zukerman) compete to create the world’s first atomic bomb, in 1943 Los Alamos, NM.
“Manhattan” is executive produced by Sam Shaw, Thomas Schlamme, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Marcy Ross and Dustin Thomason. The series is filmed on location in New Mexico.
