AMC Archives – CULTURE MIX

AMC Networks partners with Adopt-A-Pet.com for FurFest adoption promotion

October 20, 2020

The following is a press release from AMC Networks:

AMC Networks today announced it has teamed up with Adopt-a-Pet.com, North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, for AMC’s annual horror marathon FearFest, to raise awareness for pet adoption with ‘FurFest.’ All month long, AMC, AMC+, and Shudder are encouraging viewers to support Adopt-a-Pet.com’s mission to end the overpopulation of companion animals in shelters and help pets find loving forever homes through custom, PET-tacular spots airing across linear, digital, and social channels.

The custom spots, featuring a few four-legged horror fans, encourage viewers to find their perfect watch buddies through adoptions and especially raise awareness for black cat and black dog adoptions this spooky season. Halloween may be the season for magical black cats, but in reality, they are most often left behind in shelters because of the color of their fur. Many animal welfare organizations call this “black cat syndrome,” with the phenomenon happening with black dogs as well. Through the collaboration, audiences are encouraged and inspired to help fight “black cat syndrome” by adopting these furry friends or by donating to Adopt-a-Pet.com. See the custom spot:

“We all know that spooky season is best enjoyed with a buddy by your side, which is why we’re thrilled to join forces with Adopt-a-Pet.com to help viewers find their perfect four-legged watch companions,” said Linda Schupack, President of Marketing, AMC Networks Entertainment Group. “The movies on AMC’s FearFest and Shudder are already scary enough. How great to cuddle up with a lovely black cat or black dog for Halloween and beyond.”

“Teaming up with AMC Networks is an exciting and unique way to spread the word about pet adoption,” said Dana Puglisi, Chief Marketing Officer of Adopt-a-Pet.com. “We appreciate AMC and Shudder’s efforts to help get more pets into loving homes. And we love all the extra snuggles those newly adopted pets will receive while their people binge through the FearFest thrills!”

Now in its 24th consecutive year, AMC’s annual horror marathon FearFest brings the frights with an entire month of genre programming from iconic franchises like Halloween and Insidious, and the return of award-winning docuseries Eli Roth’s History of Horror. Shudder, dubbed “the ultimate in streaming horror” by Newsweek, offers the best selection of original and classic horror, thriller and supernatural films and series, uncut and commercial free. Both are also now available as part of the new AMC+, a premium streaming bundle featuring only the good stuff, which also includes IFC Midnight’s best genre cinema from independent, foreign and documentary films. In addition to the largest slate of classic horror movies such as Friday the 13th and Halloween, AMC+ also includes all series within The Walking Dead Universe, as well as AMC’s Eli Roth’s History of Horror, and new Shudder programming, such as Joe Bob’s Halloween Hideaway Special and A Creepshow Animated Special, and much more.

See the full FearFest lineup.

Find the Best in Horror at Shudder.

About AMC Networks

Known for its groundbreaking and celebrated original content, AMC Networks is the company behind the award-winning brands AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films. Its diverse line-up of popular and critically-acclaimed series and independent films include Killing Eve, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead, which has been the #1 show on ad-supported cable television for ten consecutive years, as well as Portlandia, Brockmire, Love After Lockup, and the films Boyhood, Death of Stalin, and many more. Its original series Mad Men and Breaking Bad are widely recognized as being among the most influential and acclaimed shows in the history of TV. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its production business; AMC Networks International, its international programming business; the subscription streaming services Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, and UMC; and Levity Entertainment Group, the Company’s production services and comedy venues business. For more information, visit http://www.amcnetworks.com.

About Shudder

AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. For a 7-day, risk-free trial, visit www.shudder.com.

About Adopt-a-Pet.com

Adopt-a-Pet.com is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, helping over 19,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their purebred and mixed breed pets for free to millions of adopters each month. Sponsored by companies including Purina, Chewy, and Elanco Animal Health LLC, Adopt-a-Pet.com helps homeless dogs, cats, and even rabbits and other animals go from alone to adopted.

2019 Comic-Con International: AMC Networks activities and exclusives

July 1, 2019

“The Walking Dead” stars Danai Gurira, Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride (Photo courtesy of AMC)

The cast and producers of AMC’s hit scripted series “The Walking Dead,” “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Preacher” will return to this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego, CA, with the network’s new supernatural horror series “NOS4A2” and Ridley Scott-produced anthology series “The Terror: Infamy” making their Comic-Con debut.

In addition, AMC will have a significant presence in and around San Diego with activities and partnerships including a Walker Horde, the return of the “DeadQuarters” fan zone, a partnership with Feeding San Diego, and demos of the upcoming VR game “The Walking Dead Onslaught,” among other gaming activities.

An overview of AMC’s panels is below:

“Fear the Walking Dead” panel on Friday, July 19 from 12:00pm-1:00pm in Hall H

Panelists include cast members Lennie James, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Danay Garcia, Maggie Grace, Jenna Elfman, Alexa Nisenson, Austin Amelio, Rubén Blades and Karen David, along with chief content officer of “The Walking Dead” Universe, Scott M. Gimple, showrunners and executive producers Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, executive producers Robert Kirkman, Dave Alpert, Gale Anne Hurd and Greg Nicotero, and director and co-executive producer, Michael Satrazemis. The panel will be moderated by “Talking Dead” host Chris Hardwick.

“The Walking Dead” panel on Friday, July 19 from 1:00pm-2:00pm in Hall H

Panelists include cast members Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, Ryan Hurst, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Avi Nash, Nadia Hilker, Eleanor Matsuura and Cailey Fleming, along with chief content officer of “The Walking Dead” Universe, Scott M. Gimple, showrunner and executive producer Angela Kang, executive producers Robert Kirkman, Dave Alpert, Gale Anne Hurd and Greg Nicotero. The panel will be moderated by “Talking Dead” host Chris Hardwick.

“Preacher” panel on Friday, July 19 from 7:00pm-8:00pm in Hall H

Panelists include executive producer Seth Rogen and cast members Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Graham McTavish and Mark Harelik. The panel will be moderated by IGN’s editor-in-chief of entertainment Terri Schwartz.

“The Terror: Infamy” panel on Friday, July 19 from 4:45-5:35pm in Room 6A

Panelists include cast members Derek Mio, George Takei, Kiki Sukezane and Cristina Rodlo, along with co-creators and executive producers Alexander Woo and Max Borenstein. The panel will be moderated by Indiewire senior editor Hanh Nguyen.

“NOS4A2” panel on Saturday, July 20 from 5:30pm-6:30pm in Room 6A

Panelists include cast members Zachary Quinto and Ashleigh Cummings, along with showrunner and executive producer Jami O’Brien, and author and executive producer Joe Hill. The panel will be moderated by Entertainment Weekly senior writer Clark Collis.

An overview of AMC’s activations, partnerships and activities around San Diego is below:

“DeadQuarters,” the official fan zone of “The Walking Dead” and “Fear the Walking Dead,” will feature a curated walk through of settings from both series, including the Winter Escape from the Season 9 finale of “TWD,” as well as an elaborate treehouse and plane crash site inspired by the Season 5 storylines in “Fear.” Fans can pre-register here to beat the lines.
Located on Martin Luther King Promenade, in front of the Hilton Gaslamp Hotel (4^th Avenue and L Street, across from the Convention Center), “DeadQuarters” will open for a press preview on Thursday, July 18 from 10:00-11:00am and to the public Thursday, July 18 through Saturday, July 20 from 11:00am-6:30pm; Sunday, July 21 from 11:00am-4:00pm.
AMC is partnering with Feeding America and encouraging “DeadQuarters” visitors to donate canned foods throughout Comic-Con weekend to benefit the organization’s local chapter, Feeding San Diego. Donors will receive an exclusive Hilltop Token, which can be used to unlock special deals on food, retail and entertainment around San Diego. For more info and to support Feeding San Diego, click here.

The network is inviting “The Walking Dead” fans to dress as walkers for an official Walker Horde moment at Petco Park on Saturday, July 20 with doors opening at 9am. Attendees will help recreate a walker scene for a photo that will be part of an official marketing campaign for “TWD’s” milestone 10^th season. Fans can register at: www.amc.com/horde.

Ahead of the Fall release of the much-anticipated VR game, “The Walking Dead Onslaught,” AMC and gaming studio Survios will host demos at “DeadQuarters” to give Comic-Con attendees an opportunity to step into the shoes of their favorite survivors and get an exclusive sneak peek of the game. Press demos will start on Thursday, July 18 at 10:00am at “DeadQuarters.”

Additional “TWD” gaming activities at “DeadQuarters” include:

Next Games will hold auditions for their “Become a Hero” contest, for which fans can film their best hero poses from the series for a chance to transform into a playable character in the popular location-based augmented reality mobile game, “The Walking Dead: Our World.”
FTX Games will encourage fans to test their luck with “The Walking Dead: Slots,” a virtual slot machine on a 65” screen. Players will be given three spins for a chance to make it to the top of the leaderboard and win a year’s subscription to “The Walking Dead” Supply Drop – and every player will receive a scratch-off card to win in-game coins. FTX will also be demoing their upcoming puzzle battle role-playing game, “The Walking Dead: Outbreak.”

About “The Walking Dead”

Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, “The Walking Dead” tells the story of the months and years after a zombie apocalypse and follows a group of survivors who travel in search of a safe and secure home. The series is executive produced by chief content officer Scott M. Gimple, showrunner Angela Kang, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert, Greg Nicotero and Denise Huth. The series stars Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Seth Gilliam, Avi Nash, Callan McAuliffe, Cooper Andrews, Eleanor Matsuura, Nadia Hilker, Cailey Fleming, Samantha Morton, Ryan Hurst, Cassady McClincy and Lauren Ridloff.

About “Fear the Walking Dead”

In “Fear the Walking Dead” Season 5, the group’s mission is clear: locate survivors and help make what’s left of the world a slightly better place. With dogged determination, Morgan Jones (Lennie James) leads the group with a philosophy rooted in benevolence, community and hope. Each character believes that helping others will allow them to make up for the wrongs of their pasts. But trust won’t be easily earned. Their mission of helping others will be put to the ultimate test when our group finds themselves in unchartered territory, one which will force them to face not just their pasts but also their fears. It is only through facing those fears that the group will discover an entirely new way to live, one that will leave them forever changed.

Produced by AMC Studios, “Fear the Walking Dead” is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, as well as Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Gale Anne Hurd and Greg Nicotero. The series stars Lennie James, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Colman Domingo, Danay Garcia, Garret Dillahunt, Maggie Grace, Jenna Elfman, Alexa Nisenson, Austin Amelio, Ruben Blades and Karen David.

About “Preacher”

“Preacher,” is a dramatic thrill ride that follows West Texas preacher Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), his badass girlfriend Tulip O’Hare (Ruth Negga) and an Irish vampire named Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) as they embark on a road trip to find God and are thrust into a twisted battle spanning Heaven, Hell and everywhere in between. Season 3 ended with Jesse Custer saying goodbye to his home of Angelville and reuniting with Tulip, while Herr Starr’s (Torrens) master plan for the Grail continued to advance.

The series stars Dominic Cooper, Academy Award® nominee Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun, along with series regulars Ian Colletti, Graham McTavish, Pip Torrens, Julie Ann Emery, Noah Taylor, Mark Harelik and Tyson Ritter. The Sony Pictures Television-AMC Studios co-production is developed for television by executive producer and showrunner Sam Catlin and executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

About “The Terror: Infamy”

Set during World War II, the second season of “The Terror” centers on a series of bizarre deaths that haunt a Japanese-American community, and a young man’s journey to understand and combat the malevolent entity responsible. Season two is co-created and executive produced by showrunner Alexander Woo (“True Blood”) and Max Borenstein (“Kong: Skull Island,” “Godzilla”). The series stars renowned actor, producer, author and activist George Takei, Derek Mio, Kiki Sukezane, Miki Ishikawa, Shingo Usami, and Naoko Mori.

“The Terror” is an AMC Studios production produced by Scott Free, Emjag Productions and Entertainment 360. The show is also executive produced by Ridley Scott, Dan Simmons, David W. Zucker, Alexandra Milchan, Scott Lambert and Guymon Casady.

About “NOS4A2”

“NOS4A2,” the network’s new supernatural horror series based on Joe Hill’s 2013 best-selling novel of the same name, stars Emmy^®-nominated actor and producer Zachary Quinto, Ashleigh Cummings Olafur Darri Olafsson, Virginia Kull, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jahkara Smith.

“NOS4A2” introduces Vic McQueen (Cummings), a gifted young woman who discovers she has a supernatural ability to find lost things. This ability puts her on a collision course with the evil and immortal Charlie Manx (Quinto). Manx is a supernatural villain who feeds off the souls of children then deposits what remains of them into Christmasland – a twisted place of Manx’s imagination where every day is Christmas Day and unhappiness is against the law. Vic strives to defeat Manx and rescue his victims – without losing her mind or falling victim to him herself.

About AMC

AMC is home to some of the most popular and acclaimed programs on television. AMC was the first basic cable network to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series with “Mad Men” in 2008, which then went on to win the coveted award four years in a row, before “Breaking Bad” won it in 2013 and 2014. The network’s series “The Walking Dead” is the highest-rated series in cable history. AMC’s other current original drama series include “Better Call Saul,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “The Terror,” “Into the Badlands,” “Humans,” “Preacher,” “The Son,” “McMafia,” “Lodge 49,” “The Little Drummer Girl,” “NOS4A2” and the forthcoming “Dispatches from Elsewhere” and “For Life” (wt). AMC also explores authentic worlds and discussion with original shows like “Talking Dead,” “Talking with Chris Hardwick,” “AMC Visionaries” and “Ride with Norman Reedus.” AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, SundanceTV, BBC America and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.

About Feeding San Diego

Feeding San Diego (FSD) is a non-profit organization on a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste. Established in 2007, FSD is the leading hunger-relief and food rescue organization in San Diego County and the only Feeding America affiliate in the region. Currently, one in eight San Diegans, including one in six children, face hunger each day. FSD provides 500,000 meals every week to children, adults and seniors in partnership with a network of 245 local charities, schools, faith communities, and food pantries. Through an efficient model focused on reducing our impact on the environment, every dollar donated helps provide four nutritious meals to people facing hunger. To learn more about Feeding San Diego and its hunger-relief initiatives, visit feedingsandiego.org.

Chris Hardwick re-instated at AMC after sexual-abuse investigation

July 25, 2018

by Colleen McGregor

Chris Hardwick (Photo by Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

Chris Hardwick is returning to hosting duties at AMC after being suspended while the network conducted an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused his ex-girlfriend Chloe Dkystra. AMC has announced that Hardwick will return as host of “Talking Dead” on August 12, 2018.

On June 14, 2018, actress/model Dykstra posted an essay on Medium claiming that an unnamed ex-boyfriend (who was obviously Hardwick) inflicted sexual and verbal abuse on her during their relationship. Dykstra and Hardwick dated from 2011 to 2014. Hardwick, 47, denied the allegations, but AMC suspended him and his talk show “Talking With Chris Hardwick” (which had been scheduled to premiere that month) while conducting the investigation. In the aftermath of the allegations, Hardwick had his scheduled appearances (including moderating AMC panels) cancelled at Comic-Con International in San Diego and the San Diego Music-Comedy Festival. After Dykstra (who is 29) made her accusations, Hardwick’s wife Lydia Hearst and his ex-girlfriends Jacinda Barrett, Janet Varney and Andrea Savage all made statements to publicly support him and declare that Hardwick is not abusive.

AMC issued this statement: “Following a comprehensive assessment by AMC, working with Ivy Kagan Bierman of the firm Loeb & Loeb, who has considerable experience in this area, Chris Hardwick will return to AMC as the host of ‘Talking Dead’ and ‘Talking with Chris Hardwick.’ We take these matters very seriously and given the information available to us after a very careful review, including interviews with numerous individuals, we believe returning Chris to work is the appropriate step.”

Actress/comedian Yvette Nicole Brown, a frequent “Talking Dead” guest, replaced Hardwick at Comic-Con as moderator of the AMC panels that he would normally moderate. She will be a guest host of “Talking Dead” when the show returns on Aug. 5, 2018.

Hardwick also hosts the NBC game show “The Wall.” NBC said it would investigate Dysktra’s allegations, and has made no further comment. It appears that NBC will keep him as host of “The Wall.”

2018 Comic-Con International: AMC activities and exclusives

July 5, 2018

The following is a press release from AMC:

WHAT: The cast and producers of AMC’s hit scripted series “The Walking Dead,” “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Preacher” will return to this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego, CA. AMC’s Emmy(R)-nominated series “Better Call Saul” will also make its Comic-Con debut alongside a reunion panel for “Breaking Bad” in celebration of the Emmy(R) Award-winning drama’s 10-year anniversary.

The network also released today “The Walking Dead” Comic-Con art along with new key art for “Fear the Walking Dead,” which returns for the second half of its fourth season on Sunday, August 12.

In addition to panels, AMC will have a significant presence in and around San Diego throughout Comic-Con, including:

· A red-carpet premiere screening event for “Better Call Saul,” featuring the series cast and producers. The Emmy(R)-nominated series returns for its fourth season on Monday, August 6;

· “Dead Quarters,” the official fan zone of “The Walking Dead” and “Fear the Walking Dead.” The immersive experience will feature a curated walk through of settings from both series, including The Sanctuary and a thrilling 22-foot Zombie slide, inspired by the one in “Fear,” as well as photo opportunities with the walker composter and Negan’s “flaming Lucille,” among other activities; and

· A booth activation for The Walking Dead: Our World, AMC and Next Games’ new location-based, augmented reality mobile game, launching July 12. Convention attendees will have an opportunity to play the game in a unique “Walking Dead”-themed setting, fighting walkers with Rick, Daryl, Michonne and other characters from the series. In celebration of Comic-Con, The Walking Dead: Our World will also offer players an exclusive, limited-time “Comic-Con Special Encounter” in-game activation, which will reward players with guaranteed “Rare” or “Epic” characters from “The Walking Dead” series to add to their collections in the game.

WHO: “Better Call Saul” panelists include cast members Bob Odenkirk, Giancarlo Esposito, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian and Michael Mando, along with Executive Producers and Showrunners Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. The panel will be moderated by Bill Burr.

“Breaking Bad” panelists include cast members Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, RJ Mitte, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, Bob Odenkirk and Giancarlo Esposito, along with series creator Vince Gilligan. The panel will be moderated by Bill Burr.

“Fear the Walking Dead” panelists include cast members Colman Domingo, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Lennie James, Danay Garcia, Garret Dillahunt, Maggie Grace and Jenna Elfman, along with Executive Producers and Showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, Executive Producers Scott M. Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and David Alpert. The panel will be moderated by Yvette Nicole Brown.

“The Walking Dead” panelists include cast members Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, along with Executive Producer and Showrunner Angela Kang, Executive Producers Scott M. Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert and Executive Producer, Director and Special Effects Make- up Supervisor Greg Nicotero. The panel will be moderated by Yvette Nicole Brown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYsOm_0qyv4

“Preacher” panelists include cast members Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun, along with Executive Producer and Showrunner Sam Catlin and Executive Producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

WHEN: “Better Call Saul”

· Panel from 3:30pm-4:30pm on Thursday, July 19 in Hall H

· Premiere red carpet at 6:30 pm on Thursday, July 19 at UA Horton Plaza

“Breaking Bad”

· Panel at 4:30pm-5:30pm on Thursday, July 19 in Hall H

“Fear the Walking Dead”

· Panel from 11:15am-12:15pm on Friday, July 20 in Hall H

“The Walking Dead”

· Panel from 12:15pm-1:15pm on Friday, July 20 in Hall H

“Preacher”

· Panel from 7:30pm-8:30pm on Friday, July 20 in Hall H

The Walking Dead: Our World

· Game activation open from Thursday, July 19-Saturday, July 21 at booth #4237 at the convention center

· Press demos starting at 9:30am on Thursday, July 19 at “Dead Quarters”

“Dead Quarters”

· Thursday, July 19-Saturday, July 21 from 11:00am-6:00pm; Sunday, July 22 from 11:00am-4:00pm

· Located on Martin Luther King Promenade, in front of the Hilton Gaslamp Hotel (4th Avenue and L Street, across from the convention center)

About “Better Call Saul”

The critically acclaimed drama is executive produced by Peter Gould, Vince Gilligan, Mark Johnson, Melissa Bernstein, Thomas Schnauz and Gennifer Hutchison. The series recently garnered a 2018 Peabody Award, and, over three seasons, has earned 23 Emmy(R) Award nominations, three Golden Globe(R) Award nominations, two Writers Guild Awards, three Critics’ Choice Awards, a Television Critics Association Award and two AFI Awards for “TV Programs of the Year,” among many other Guild nominations. Created by Gilligan and Gould, the series stars Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando and Giancarlo Esposito.

About “Fear the Walking Dead”

The first half of season four began with one figure huddled around a campfire, and ended with nine. Characters who started their journeys in isolation collided with each other in unexpected ways and found themselves in one of the last places they ever expected to be…together. In the back half of the season they will explore who they are now – as individuals and as part of the greater group – and how they will forge ahead. They will find themselves pitted against new adversaries – human, walker, and even nature itself. Theirs will be a journey wrought with danger, love, heartbreak, loss, and ultimately, hope. The series is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, as well as Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Gale Anne Hurd and Greg Nicotero, and produced by AMC Studios. The series stars Lennie James, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Colman Domingo, Danay Garcia, Garret Dillahunt, Maggie Grace and Jenna Elfman.

About “The Walking Dead”

Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, “The Walking Dead” reigns as television’s most watched drama for adults 18-49 for a record-breaking six consecutive years. “The Walking Dead” tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse, and follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home. The series is executive produced by chief content officer Scott M. Gimple, showrunner Angela Kang, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotero, Tom Luse and Denise Huth.

About “Preacher”

In Season 3, Jesse Custer’s quest for God takes him back to the place he’s been avoiding his whole life: home. Jesse, Tulip, and Cassidy return to Angelville, the Louisiana Plantation where Jesse was raised, and find old grudges and deadly obligations await them. With the help of his friends — and a few enemies — Jesse will need to escape his past… because the future of the world depends on it. The series stars Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Joseph Gilgun, Ian Colletti, Graham McTavish, Pip Torrens, Julie Ann Emery, Malcolm Barrett and new series regulars Betty Buckley (“Supergirl,” “Split”) and Colin Cunningham (“Blood Drive,” “Falling Skies”). Jeremy Childs (“The Last Castle,” “Nashville”), Liz McGeever (“Star, Nashville”), Jonny Coyne (“Turn,” “Alcatraz”), Adam Croasdell (“Reign”) and Prema Cruz (“Mozart in the Jungle”) are recurring guest stars. The Sony Pictures Television and AMC Studios co-production was developed for television by executive producer and showrunner Sam Catlin (“Breaking Bad”) and executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (“Sausage Party,” “This is the End,” “Superbad”). The series is also executive produced by James Weaver for Point Grey Pictures, Neal H. Moritz, Ori Marmur, Vivian Cannon, Jason Netter, Michael Slovis, Mark McNair, Garth Ennis, Ken F. Levin and Sara Goodman.

About AMC

AMC is home to some of the most popular and acclaimed programs on television. AMC was the first basic cable network to ever win the Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Drama Series with “Mad Men” in 2008, which then went on to win the coveted award four years in a row, before “Breaking Bad” won it in 2013 and 2014. The network’s series “The Walking Dead” is the highest-rated series in cable history and the number one show on television among adults 18-49 for the last five years. AMC’s other current original drama series include “Better Call Saul,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Dietland,” “The Terror,” “Into the Badlands,” “Humans,” “Preacher,” “The Son,” “McMafia” and the forthcoming “Lodge 49” and “The Little Drummer Girl.” AMC also explores authentic worlds and discussion with original shows like “Talking Dead,” “Talking with Chris Hardwick,” “AMC Visionaries” and “Ride with Norman Reedus.” AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, SundanceTV, BBC America and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.

Chris Hardwick scandal: TV host/comedian loses shows after being accused of sexual assault

June 18, 2018

by Colleen McGregor

TV host/comedian Chris Hardwick, 47, has lost several of his shows and has had appearances cancelled after his ex-girlfriend Chloe Dykstra accused him of sexually abusing her during their relationship, which lasted from 2011 to 2014. In an essay posted on Medium on June 14, 2018, Dykstra (who is 29) claimed that an unnamed ex-boyfriend forced her to have sex with him many times, and he was verbally abusive and controlling throughout their relationship. Dykstra (who is an actress and model) also claimed that after she and the ex-boyfriend broke up, he had her blacklisted from several companies in the entertainment industry. Although Hardwick was not named in the essay, the descriptions and timelines described in the essay make it clear that it is him. Dykstra (who is the daughter of Oscar-winning visual artist John Dykstra) also claims that she has audio and video to back up many of her claims.

Hardwick has denied the sexual assault allegations. He has been married to heiress Lydia Hearst since 2016. He issued this statement about Dykstra: “Our three-year relationship was not perfect — we were ultimately not a good match and argued — even shouted at each other — but I loved her, and did my best to uplift and support her as a partner and companion in any way and at no time did I sexually assault her. When we were living together, I found out that Chloe had cheated on me, and I ended the relationship. For several weeks after we broke up, she asked to get back together with me and even told me she wanted to have kids with me, ‘build a life’ with me and told me that I was ‘the one,’ but I did not want to be with someone who was unfaithful.”

Hardwick may not be a household name, but for more than 10 years, he has been a big star in the world of nerd culture, and he was a rising media star on a career path similar to Ryan Seacrest, who hosts several shows on multiple networks and platforms. Hardwick was the founder of Nerdist Industries, which he launched in February 2012, and sold to Legendary Entertainment in July 2012. Hardwick was CEO of Nerdist until his contract expired at the end of 2017. In the wake of the allegations, Nerdist has removed Hardwick’s name from its website and has disavowed the company’s previous association with him.

To sci-fi/comic-book fans, Hardwick was best known as the host of several talk shows on AMC, such as “Talking Dead” (an after-show for “The Walking Dead” and “Fear the Walking Dead”), “Talking Preacher” (an after-show for “Preacher”) and “Talking With Chris Hardwick.”

AMC issued this statement: “We have had a positive working relationship with Chris Hardwick for many years. We take the troubling allegations that surfaced yesterday very seriously. While we assess the situation, ‘Talking With Chris Hardwick’ will not air on AMC.”

Hardwick has also been a moderator at numerous high-profile panels and events at Comic-Con International in San Diego and other similar events. His appearances at this year’s Comic-Con International have been cancelled. He is also a stand-up comedian. His appearance at the 2018 San Diego Music-Comedy Festival has also been cancelled.

At NBC, Hardwick has hosted the game show “The Wall” since 2016. Hardwick also hosted NBC’s “The Red Nose Day Special” in 2017 and 2018. In a statement, NBC says it is reviewing Dykstra’s allegations and is “continuing to assess the situation and will take appropriate action based on the outcome.”

Prior to hosting “The Wall,” Hardwick hosted the Comedy Central game show “@ Midnight With Chris Hardwick” from 2013 to 2017. The show won two Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (in 2015 and 2016) for Outstanding Creative Achievement In Interactive Media Social TV Experience.

Hardwick first became known to national TV audiences as the host of MTV’s dating show “Singled Out,” which was on the air from 1995 to 1998.

July 25, 2018 UPDATE: AMC has ended Hardwick’s suspension and given him back his hosting duties after the network concluded its investigation into Dystra’s allegations. Click here for more details.