Ozark’s Laura Linney Joins The Cast Of MGM+ Comedy Series American Classic

Laura Linney (Ozark) has been tapped as the female lead of a new MGM+ comedy, American Classic. She leads opposite Kevin Kline and Jon Tenney in a 30-minute comedy series from co-creators Bob Martin, Michael Hoffman and Fifth Season, together with Mar-Key Pictures,

Likely Story and Anonymous Content producing. Read on to learn more about the new half-hour comedy.

Laura Linney and Kevin Kline in American Classic on MGM+

According to Variety, the plot of American Classic centers on a Broadway star and notorious narcissist, Richard Bean (Kline). He suffers a spectacular public meltdown and returns to his hometown and the family-run theater,  where he first became aware of his own brilliance.

Meanwhile, when Richard arrives in town, he is shocked to discover that his father, the former artistic director, has lost a step, and that the once-respected theater, now run by his brother, Jon (Jon Tenney) and his wife, Kristen (Linney) has become, by necessity, a low-rent dinner theater serving roast beef and murder mysteries.

He decides to save the town, the theater, and the world by presenting a great American classic on the dinner theater stage, directed by and starring, naturally, Richard Bean.

About Laura Linney’s character, Kristen Forrest Bean

Linney’s character, Kristen Forrest Bean, grew up acting in the Millersburg Festival Theater, founded and run by the Bean family. She fell in love with Richard at the age of 19, and ran away with him to try and make it in New York City.

Once there, Richard’s egotism served him better than Kristen’s quiet intensity, and it was his career that took off. Meanwhile, Kristen became increasingly frustrated and finally packed up and left him, returning to Millersburg, where she eventually married Richard’s younger brother, Jon, and had their daughter, Miranda.

Moreover, as the recently appointed Mayor of Millersburg, she directs her passion and her strong practical side toward helping to keep the family theater going.

Previous hits for Laura Linney

Most recently, Linney starred in and executive produced the hit Netflix drama series, Ozark, which earned her three acting Emmy nominations in addition to the Outstanding Drama Series award that she shared in the series and in the Tales of the City revival.

The Big C earned Laura Emmys for The Big C, Frasier, John Adams and Wild Iris, Meanwhile, in features, the three-time Oscar nominee most recently appeared in the 2024 Suncoast, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

Production on American Classic is set to start in New Jersey this summer.