Channel 4 Pick Up Hulu’s ‘Catch-22’ Drama From George Clooney
Channel 4 has picked up Hulu’s much anticipated six-part drama series ‘Catch-22‘ executive produced, directed and co-starring George Clooney the broadcaster has announced.
Based on the celebrated novel by Joseph Heller, ‘Catch-22’ follows the story of Captain John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott – ‘Girls’), a US air force soldier in World War II who can’t understand why thousands of people who have never met him want to kill him. Yossarian is a rebellious and fearful anti-hero, who is trying to survive the war against the odds. Desperate to impress his superiors, Colonel Cathcart (Kyle Chandler – ‘Bloodline’) keeps raising the numbers of the missions his men have to fly. Yossarian is driven half-mad by his will to live. He wants to complete his service and leave, but his efforts are blocked by Catch-22; a ridiculous bureaucratic rule which states that pilots don’t have to fly if they are certified insane, but unfortunately for the men the same rule also states that being driven mad by fear is a rational emotion, which therefore means the individual is sane and able to carry on with the mission.
“It’s hard to imagine a work that speaks more directly to the frequently absurd times we live in, and to the growing sense of individual distrust of institutions, than Catch-22,” comments Ian Katz, Director of Programmes, Channel 4. “David Michôd and Luke Davies have produced a script that crackles with irony, anger and humanity. I’m thrilled that it will be a part of our stellar 2019 drama offer.”
Clooney originally cast himself as Cathcart, but then decided to switch roles to play the smaller supporting part of Scheisskopf, a training commander based at the cadet school in California. Scheisskopf isn’t the most likeable man; he’s not the type of person who puts his cadets’ interests before his own career. He’s ambitious, but also inept.
The cast also includes Hugh Laurie (‘House’, ‘The Night Manager’) who takes the part of Major de Coverley, a squadron executive officer on Pianosa air base. A noble, leonine presence, like some Civil War general, de Coverley dances to the beat of his own drum. Regarded with awe by the men. He spends his time pitching horseshoes, listening to jazz on his phonograph, mixing himself martinis, and hiring apartments for the officers in every new city the Americans take.
“I’m very excited to be working with Channel 4 to bring the classic Catch-22 to their channel,” commented Clooney on the acquisition. “I couldn’t think of a better place to be doing this.”
‘Catch-22‘ is set to air on Channel 4 in 2019.
