FX has wisely given a series order to Donald Glover's half-hour show Atlanta, a comedy created by and starring Glover that revolves around two cousins on their journey through the iconic Georgia city's music scene. "Atlanta draws on Donald’s considerable talents as a musician, actor, and writer to give us something unique," Nick Grad, president of original programming for FX, tells Variety in a statement. "The story is made all the more powerful by the great cast and the contributions of Donald’s fellow executive producer Paul Simms and director Hiro Murai. We can’t wait to debut Atlanta next year."
Murai, of course, is the same meta-conscious auteur behind Glover's 2013 short film "Clapping for the Wrong Reasons," also written by Glover:
As previously reported, Glover is set to star as Earnest "Earn" Marks, described as an "artistic loner" who originally left Atlanta to pursue his dreams of creative and financial success. For reasons that will surely be explored throughout the just-ordered 10 episodes, Earn returns to the city to face not only his apparent failure, but his strained relationship with Van (Zazie Beetz), with whom he shares a daughter. The series also stars Brian Tyree Henry and Lakeith Lee Stanfield.
Glover recently appeared in Ridley Scott's space jaunt The Martian, adding a memorable element of whimsy to the confirmed thirst trap for science. With Glover's undeniable track record and FX's consistent loyalty to unhindered creative freedom, Atlanta will most certainly be necessary viewing among next year's TV landscape.
