Starz announced today that David Michôd will direct the first episode of the new original drama series “Flesh and Bone.” Michôd is known as both a writer and director and his debut feature film Animal Kingdom went on to win multiple awards, as well as Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. His next feature film, The Rover, which he wrote and directed, stars Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson.
“Flesh and Bone” was created by Emmy award-winning “Breaking Bad” Writer and Executive Producer Moira Walley-Beckett and follows a young ballet dancer with a distinctly troubled past, as she joins a prestigious ballet company in New York. The dark and gritty series will unflinchingly explore the dysfunction and glamour of the ballet world.
“I’m entirely enamored of the visual, visceral, artful way David tells story,” said creator Moira Walley-Beckett. “His style and sensibility is very much in alignment with my vision of my show.”
Of Michôd, Carmi Zlotnik, managing Director of Starz says, “David is perhaps the most exciting filmmaker weve seen in quite some time. He is the kind of meticulous craftsman who has the eye to bring forth a character and create such a tension with the viewer that it is palpable. That is why we are so very excited he will be helping to establish the tone of Flesh and Bone.’ Moira is writing such complex characters set against the backdrop of a world of beauty and grace, and David has a superb ability to convey this equally thrilling and poignant story.”
Dancer Sarah Hay (Black Swan) has been cast in the lead role, joining former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Irina Dvorovenko and current soloist Sascha Radetsky, along with Ballet Arizona company dancer Raychel Diane Weiner and Emily Tyra (“Boardwalk Empire”). Royal New Zealand Ballet artistic director and world renowned former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Ethan Stiefel will be the series choreographer. The series will be executive produced by Ms. Walley-Beckett and Starz, along with Executive Producers Lawrence Bender, Kevin Brown and John Melfi.
Production is scheduled to begin in New York City in spring 2014. “Flesh and Bone” will debut on Starz in 2015.
