‘Dirk Gently’ NY Comic-Con Sneak Peek + Julian McMahon & Jessica Lowndes Join Cast

By: Dominic Patten
Date: October 7, 2016
Source: Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: There’s some Nip/Tuck and 90210 coming to Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency with Julian McMahon and Jessica Lowndes now joining the BBC America series. The duo will appear in guest roles in the Samuel Barnett, Elijah Wood and Hannah Marks starring October 22 debuting show based on Douglas Adams’ novels.

News of the addition of the Hunters alum and the A Deadly Adoption actor to Dirk Gently comes as BBC America stages its New York Comic-Con mega-panel today at Madison Square Garden. As a lead-up, with more exclusive videos expected later Friday,the AMC-owned station released a sneak peek at Dirk Gently – check it out here:

As for the castings – McMahon’s role will be that of Patrick Spring, a multi-millionaire pivotal to the eight-part murder mystery series. Lowndes will play Jake Rainey, a character that is described as the “supreme soul” and leader of the evil Men of the Machine in the Max Landis penned series.

The self-described NYCC “takeover” today will feature panels and first looks from the upcoming season of Doctor Who, the Time Lord series’ new spinoff Class and Dirk Gently itself with a screening of the whole first episode of the adventures of the wildly eccentric detective (Barnett) and his very reluctant assistant Todd (Wood).

There are already so many @DirkGentlyBBCA, @DoctorWho_BBCA, and #ClassDW fans in line for the @BBCAMERICA panel that's happening today! pic.twitter.com/XZ2gH8f3M6

— BBC America (@BBCAMERICA) October 7, 2016

The DGHDA panel Friday is expected to include Barnett and Marks plus fellow cast members Jade Eshete, Mpho Koaho, and Fiona Dourif. Scribe and EP Landis as well as showrunner Robert Cooper will also be in attendance, I hear.

Dirk Gently is also produced by David Alpert (The Walking Dead) and Rick Jacobs (Wynona Earp) for Circle of Confusion; David Ozer and Ted Adams for IDW Entertainment; and Arvind Ethan David and Zainir Aminullah for Ideate Media.

Lowndes, who appeared on the reboot of 90210 on the CW from 2008 to 2013, is repped by APA and Aperture Entertainment. McMahon, who portrayed the cunning plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Troy on the FX series from 2003 to 2010, is repped by Paradigm and MGMT Management.

‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ Offers First Look – Comic-Con

By: Dominic Patten
Date: July 23, 2016
Source: Deadline

Comic-Con got a sneak peek today of the upcoming Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. The show toplined by Elijah Wood and Samuel Barnett based on Douglas Adams’ 1987 book debuts October 22 on BBC America. Wood and Barnett were in attendance at the convention center today along with fellow cast members Hannah Marks, Jade Eshete as well as lead writer and EP Max Landis and showrunner Robert Cooper.

Drawing from the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy author’s work, the eight-episode series follows the time-and-space-shifting adventures of eccentric “holistic” detective Dirk Gently (Barnett) and his reluctant assistant Todd (Wood). “Dirk thinks he’s a detective. He has this ability to see things other people can’t see,” Barnett offered about his character. “He’s kind of really lonely.”

“It’s an impressionistic adaptation,” said Cooper of the comedic thriller, “and I think Max captured the spirit of Douglas Adams.” A passionate Landis added, “You can’t do Douglas Adams by doing Douglas Adams.” Saying that he “loved writing boys being friends,” the American Ultra scribe then said to cheers from the crowd, “I decided I’m going to make my own thing using his thing.”

Dirk Gently also features Mpho Koaho, Fiona Dourif, Michael Eklund, Miquel Sandoval, Dustin Mulligan, Aaron Douglas, Neil Brown Jr. and West Wing alum Richard Schiff.

The series is a co-production of AMC Studios, Ideate Media and IDW Entertainment, with Circle of Confusion producing.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency: Exclusive first look at BBC America’s crazy new show

By: Clark Collis
Date: July 19, 2016
Source: Entertainment Weekly

Based on a pair of books by late sci-fi and fantasy author Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency finds Samuel Barnett playing a detective with a strange methodology.

“He believes that everything is connected and just by living his life, wandering from place to place, he will be able to solve any mystery put in front of him,” says screenwriter Max Landis (Chronicle and American Ultra), who is writing and executive-producing the series with showrunner Robert Cooper (Stargate Atlantis).

Elijah Wood costars as Dirk’s sort-of sidekick, Todd. “Todd’s an interesting character,” says Landis. “He’s honestly not gung-ho about helping Dirk do anything, much less be his assistant.”

Other characters include a billionaire’s beautiful security officer, Farah Black (Jade Eshete), and the Rowdy 3, a group of anarchist vampires. “This show is crazy!” says Landis. We’re getting that impression.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency premieres on BBC America on October 22. You can see an exclusive photo of Wood (avec pooch!) and Barnett, above.

 

A version of this story originally appeared in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, on newsstands now, or available to buy here. Subscribe now for more exclusive interviews and photos, only in EW.

 

Below is a screen cap of the story from the digital version of Entertainment Weekly.

‘Dirk Gently’: ‘Compton’s Neil Brown Jr., Richard Schiff & More Join BBC America Series

By: Denise Petski
Date: May 24, 2016
Source: Deadline

BBC America has added cast to Dirk Gently, BBC America’s eight-episode series based on the cult Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency novels by Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy author Douglas Adams. Filming got underway today in Vancouver, with premiere slated for the fall.

Written by Max Landis, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency is a comedic thriller that follows the bizarre adventures of eccentric “holistic” detective Dirk Gently (Samuel Barnett) and his reluctant assistant Todd (Elijah Wood), as they wend their way through one big, seemingly insane mystery a season, crossing unlikely paths with a bevy of wild and sometimes dangerous characters, each episode landing them a few random steps closer to uncovering the truth. Hannah Marks also stars as Todd’s sister Amanda.

Joining the cast are Neil Brown Jr. (Straight Outta Compton) as Estevez and Richard Schiff (The West Wing) as Zimmerfield, missing person’s detectives operating increasingly off book as they follow the trail of a complex and mystifying case. Jade Eshete (Shades of Blue) plays Farah Black, the athletic, self-doubting, bad-ass, hyper competent but utterly anxious Security Officer to a billionaire; Falling Skies’ alum Mpho Koaho is Ken, a nerdy, friendly-faced tech trapped in increasingly difficult and bloody circumstances; Fiona Dourif (When We Rise) portrays Bart Curlish, the terrifying, homicidal, deranged, fearless and nearly invincible self-identified “Holistic Assassin”; Michael Eklund (The Call II) is Martin, violent ring leader of the Rowdy 3 with an inexplicable sensitive side; Medium alum Miguel Sandoval plays Colonel Scott Riggins, beleaguered CIA head of a defunct secret bureau investigating the paranormal; Dustin Milligan (Schitt’s Creek) is Sergeant Hugo Friedkin, Riggin’s subordinate, unpredictable, wildly ambitious and dangerous moron; and Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica) portrays Gordon Rimmer, an enigmatic loser with an impressive series of horrible secrets. Additional casting will be announced.

Dirk Gently is co-produced by AMC Studios, Ideate Media and comic book publisher IDW Entertainment with Circle of Confusion producing. Executive producers are Landis, who wrote the script for Ideate and IDW; Ideate’s Arvind Ethan David and Zainir Aminullah; IDW’s Ted Adams and David Ozer; and David Alpert and Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion.

Brown played DJ Yella in Oscar-nominated Straight Outta Compton and will next be seen in feature Sandcastle. He’s repped by Don Buchwald & Associates and David Dean Management.

IMG To Handle Global Sales For ‘Dirk Gently’ BBC America Series

By: Denise Petski
Date: May 23, 2016
Source: Deadline

IMG will handle international sales for Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, BBC America’s eight-episode series based on the cult novels by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy author Douglas Adams. Written and executive produced by Max Landis, the series is set to debut in the fall.

Starring Samuel Barnett as the title character, along with Elijah Wood and Hannah Marks, Dirk Gently follows the bizarre adventures of eccentric “holistic” detective Dirk Gently and his reluctant assistant Todd (Wood), as they find their way through one big, seemingly insane mystery a season. The pair encounter a bevy of wild and sometimes dangerous characters, each episode landing them a few random steps closer to uncovering the truth.

Ideate Media’s Arvind Ethan David and Zainir Aminullah also executive produce with IDW Entertainment’s Ted Adams and David Ozer, and David Alpert and Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion.

‘Dirk Gently’: Hannah Marks Cast As Female Lead In BBC America Series

By: Nellie Andreeva
Date: April 8, 2016
Source: Deadline

Hannah Marks is set as the female lead opposite Elijah Wood and Samuel Barnett in Dirk Gently, BBC America’s eight-episode series based on the cult Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency novels by Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy author Douglas Adams.

Written by Max Landis, Dirk Gently is a comedic thriller that follows the bizarre adventures of eccentric “holistic” detective Dirk Gently (Barnett) and his reluctant assistant Todd (Wood), as they wend their way through one big, seemingly insane mystery a season, crossing unlikely paths with a bevy of wild and sometimes dangerous characters, each episode landing them a few random steps closer to uncovering the truth.

Marks will play Todd’s sister Amanda Brotzman, a former rebellious punk and fun gal, now sick, sidelined by a genetic disorder. Todd and Amanda are deeply connected.

Dirk Gently is co-produced by AMC Studios, Ideate Media and comic book publisher IDW Entertainment with Circle of Confusion producing. Executive producers are Landis, who wrote the script for Ideate and IDW; Ideate’s Arvind Ethan David and Zainir Aminullah; IDW’s Ted Adams and David Ozer; and David Alpert and Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion.

Marks recently co-starred in Southbound and appeared in Slash, which had its world premiere in March at SXSW. In TV, she recurred on MTV comedy Awkward and is recurring on new ABC comedy series The Real O’Neals. She’s repped by UTA, Untitled Entertainment and Bloom Hergott Diemer.

‘Dirk Gently’: Samuel Barnett To Play Title Role In Max Landis’ BBC America Series

By: Nellie Andreeva
Date: March 29, 2016
Source: Deadline

I have learned that Samuel Barnett (Jupiter Ascending) has been cast as the lead opposite Elijah Wood in Dirk Gently, BBC America’s eight-episode series based on the cult Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency novels by Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy author Douglas Adams. Written by Max Landis, the series is set to debut in fall 2016. Dean Parisot has come on board to direct the first two episodes. Stargate franchise veteran Robert Cooper has been named showrunner.

Dirk Gently is a comedic thriller that follows the bizarre adventures of eccentric “holistic” detective Dirk Gently (Barnett) and his reluctant assistant Todd (Wood), as they wend their way through one big, seemingly insane mystery a season, crossing unlikely paths with a bevy of wild and sometimes dangerous characters, each episode landing them a few random steps closer to uncovering the truth.

The series is co-produced by AMC Studios, Ideate Media and comic book publisher IDW Entertainment with Circle of Confusion producing. Exec producers are Landis, whoDirk Gently Book wrote the project on spec; Cooper; Ideate’s Arvind Ethan David and Zainir Aminullah; IDW’s Ted Adams and David Ozer; and David Alpert and Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion.

In the four-episode BBC4 adaptation of Dirk Gently, which aired in 2010 and 2012, the title role was played by Stephen Mangan.

British actor Barnett is a two-time Tony Award nominee for his roles in Twelfth Night, in which he co-starred opposite Mark Rylance, and in The History Boys. He will next be seen on the upcoming season of John Logan’s Showtime series Penny Dreadful. Barnett is repped by ICM Partners and Independent Talent Group in the UK.

Elijah Wood To Star In ‘Dirk Gently’ BBC America Series From Max Landis

By: Nellie Andreeva
Date: March 22, 2016
Source: Deadline

Elijah Wood is set as the co-lead in Dirk Gently, BBC America’s eight-episode series based on the cult Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency novels by Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy author Douglas Adams. Written by Max Landis, the series is set to debut in fall 2016.

Dirk Gently is a comedic thriller that follows the bizarre adventures of eccentric “holistic” detective Dirk Gently and his reluctant assistant Todd (Wood), as they wend their way through one big, seemingly insane mystery a season, crossing unlikely paths with a bevy of wild and sometimes dangerous characters, each episode landing them a few random steps closer to uncovering the truth.

Dirk Gently BookTodd does not consider himself a sidekick. He is just flat-out better than Dirk at a lot of things. He always attempts to solve matters with the fewest steps possible; despite being a compassionate, sweet, smarter-than-average man with biting wit, Todd often finds himself at the intersection of morally gray crossroads. Thus, his bad habits of lying and stealing have dire consequences that he can’t put off forever, even though he tries. As Todd describes himself to Dirk: “I am not your Watson, a**hole. I am not available for side-kicking on something I am not involved with. I am my own messed up person with my own messed up problems.”

The series is co-produced by AMC Studios, Ideate Media and comic book publisher IDW Entertainment with Circle of Confusion producing. Exec producers are Landis, who wrote the project on spec; Ideate’s Arvind Ethan David and Zainir Aminullah; IDW’s Ted Adams and David Ozer; and David Alpert and Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion.

A four-episode adaptation of Dirk Gently starring Stephen Mangan aired on BBC4 in 2010 and 2012.

BBCA’s scripted slate also includes Doctor Who (considered a suitable companion for Dirk Gently), Orphan Black, Undercover, Thirteen, London Spy, The Living and The Dead, Luther and Class.

The Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit alum Wood toplined the FX series Wilfred.

IDW Entertainment & Ideate Media Option ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ Novels For TV Series; Max Landis To Write Pilot

By: The Deadline Team
Date: August 4, 2014
Source: Deadline

IDW Entertainment and Ideate Media are teaming to bring Douglas Adams’ bestselling Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency novels to TV. IDWE and Ideate have optioned worldwide rights to the novels and have formed a partnership to co-fund development and co-produce with the intent of securing a direct-to-series commitment. Chronicle scribe Max Landis has been tapped to write the pilot, and will executive produce with Circle of Confusion (The Walking Dead).

Adams pennedIDWEntertainment-BLACK the Dirk Gently series after his comedy sci-fi phenom The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. The novels center on detective Dirk Gently, who believes in the fundamental interconnectedness of all things, has Ideate Media 1a unique relationship with the laws of probability and physics and love of cats and pizza. Cursed with a relentless intellect, psychic powers he doesn’t fully understand or want, a gift for self-mythologizing, and a supernatural ability to detect disturbances in the fabric of reality, Dirk has found a strange calling as a private detective for impossible crimes.

“Alongside the obvious yadaMax Landis 1_edited-1 yada I’m a lifelong fan, Long Dark Teatime Of The Soul (the second Dirk Gently novel) is one of the best books ever,” said Landis. “Douglas Adams is a visionary who forever changed the way science fiction is written and talked about and even thought about and even the way real actual science is thought about and without whom our culture would be noticeably different for the worse.”

Landis, repped by WME, Behr Abramson Levy, and Circle of Confusion, penned upcoming features American Ultra and Frankenstein. He will also make his directorial debut with the comedy Me, Him, Her in 2015.

In addition to the television series, IDW and Ideate will develop a series of Dirk Gently comic books for release next spring.

Ted Adams and David Ozer from IDWE, Arvind Ethan David and Zainir Aminullah of Ideate, and David Alpert and Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion will serve as executive producers. Ideate’s David brokered the deal with the estate. Option was negotiated through Ed Victor at Ed Victor Ltd and CAA.