Set to air in 2023, the animated series centers on Marvin Flute, a misanthropic detective trying to redeem himself with his ex-wife and son he never bothered to pay attention to.
Emmy Award-winning actor John Hamm is getting into the animation business as the star and executive producer of Grimsburg, an all-new comedy coming to FOX in 2023. The deal was announced by Michael Thorn, President of Entertainment, FOX Entertainment.
The series, fully owned by FOX Entertainment and created by Catlan McClelland and Matthew Schlissel, will be produced at Bento Box.
The show centers around Marvin Flute (Hamm), who may be the greatest detective ever to catch a cannibal clown or correctly identify a mid-century modern armoire. But there’s one mystery he still can’t crack — his family. Now that he's back in Grimsburg, a town where everyone has a secret or three, Flute will follow every lead he’s got to redeem himself with the ex-wife he never stopped loving, even if it means hanging out with the son he never bothered to get to know.
“I am very excited to be involved in the FOX animation universe,” said Hamm. “A universe I have been actively watching since the early nineties. The opportunity to get to bring a project like Grimsburg to life that is so particular and unique, and to work with its incredibly imaginative and hilarious creators is one I can’t wait to get started with.”
“As we continue to expand our animation brand beyond family comedies, Grimsburg’s wildly funny, bizarre and inventive take on the crime genre makes it the perfect next generation FOX comedy,” added Thorn. “And with Jon Hamm front and center as Marvin Flute, the deeply troubled detective with very eclectic taste and opinions, we believe this may finally be Hamm’s breakout role as a leading man.”
“The mystery is solved, Grimsburg is a thoroughly original and comedic take on the small-town crime show trope with a mix of the insatiable Jon Hamm and head-spinning plot twists and turns,” said Gail Berman, Executive Producer and Chairman and CEO of The Jackal Group. “FOX, Bento Box and Grimsburg’s genius creators, Catlan and Matthew are taking the animation genre to new heights under the wise leadership of our brilliant Showrunner Chadd Gindin in this eccentric comedy with a broad appeal. We are thrilled to be a part of this great team.”
In addition to Hamm, the show’s executive producers include Berman (FOX’s upcoming drama Monarch, The Addams Family, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Hend Baghdady (Monarch, Golan the Insatiable) of The Jackal Group, Connie Tavel (Judging Amy) and showrunner Chadd Gindin (The Cleveland Show, Santa Clarita Diet), while McClelland and Schlissel will co-executive produce.
Hamm is well-known for his role as the high-powered, advertising executive Don Draper on AMC’s award-winning drama series Mad Men, as well as films like Baby Driver, The Town and Sucker Punch. Next year, he will be seen in the much-anticipated Top Gun: Maverick with Tom Cruise and Miles Teller.
He has earned numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award in 2015 for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Awards in 2016 and 2008, Television Critics Association Awards in 2011 and 2015, a Critics’ Choice Television Award in 2011, as well as multiple Screen Actors Guild nominations.
Source: FOX Entertainment
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
