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Alcatraz is a drama/sci-fi television series airing Monday nights on Fox.

History

Alcatraz originally was a military base, used in the 1800's discovered by the Spanish, the US used it as a military base in 1886 during the Civil War. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, the base was used as a military prison. The island was then the site of the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, when it was closed due to high operating costs. The entire island was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 and continues to serve as a historic site available to the public.

Conception/Casting

News about a new J.J. Abrams show started to spread in September 2010 [1], which included Bad Robot's involvement and a script by Elizabeth Sarnoff, who rewrote a preexisting script by Bryan Wynbrandt and Steven Lilien. The series landed at Fox soon after [2], followed by the announcement of Danny Cannon as the pilot's director. [3]

Jorge Garcia's casting as Diego Soto was announced in November, noting Garcia "was the first and only actor the producers of Alcatraz approached for the role of Dr. Soto." [4] Sarah Jones' casting as the "smart, thoughtful and a little obsessive" Rebecca Madsen soon followed [5], along with the casting of Jason Butler Harner and Jonny Coyne as E.B. Tiller, the Associate Warden "who enjoys and abuses his power," and Warden Edwin James, respectively. [6] Sam Neill was announced as Emerson Hauser, "the head of a government agency who radiates authority and piercing intelligence." [7] The last three additions to the main cast included Parminder Nagra as Hauser's lab technician Lucy Banerjee, Robert Forster as Ray Archer, "a retired detective [and current] bartender," [8], and Santiago Cabrera as Jimmy Dickens, "Rebecca's sweet-natured fiance, an uniform cop." [9]

Episode Orders/Pick-Up

The filming of the pilot started on January 19 [10], and ended on February 9. [11] The following month, it was announced that Fox green lit the first season for 12 episodes. [12] Alcatraz was officially picked up for a series on May 13. [13]

Promotion

The Alcatraz trailer, featuring scenes from the Pilot, was released online on May 16, 2011. The Fox Upfronts took place the same day, with Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones, Sam Neill and Jason Butler Harner representing the show. The show was announced to debut during the 2011/12 midseason, premiering on January 16, 2012, on Mondays at 9 PM.

References

  1. Hot Property: JJ Abrams, Elizabeth Sarnoff To Shop 'Alcatraz' Drama by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2010-09-01)
  2. JJ Abrams TV Drama 'Alcatraz' Lands At Fox by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2010-09-15)
  3. Several Television Pilots Land Directors by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2010-11-12)
  4. 'Lost' Co-Star Jorge Garcia Cast In J.J. Abrams' Fox Drama Pilot 'Alcatraz' by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2010-11-21)
  5. J.J. Abrams' Fox Pilot 'Alcatraz' Casts Lead by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2010-11-30)
  6. Two More Board J.J. Abrams' Pilot 'Alcatraz' by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2010-12-01)
  7. Sam Neill To Star In J.J. Abrams' 'Alcatraz' by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2010-12-10)
  8. Parminder Nagra And Robert Forster Join Fox/J.J. Abrams Pilot 'Alcatraz' by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2010-12-10)
  9. TV CASTINGS: Actors Join 'Alcatraz,' 'Wedding Band' Pilots, 'Hawaii Five-0' Series by Nellie Andreeva - Deadline (2011-01-18)
  10. J.J. Abrams Dishes on 'Alcatraz,' 'Super 8' and 'Fringe' Moving to Friday Nights by Lesley Goldberg - The Hollywood Reporter (2011-01-12)
  11. Just Wrapped on ALCATRAZ by Jorge Garcia - Further Dispatches (2011-02-09)
  12. Fox Greenlights 12 Episodes of J.J. Abrams’ ALCATRAZ by Jason Barr - Collider (2011-03-08)
  13. FOX Picks Up Abrams' Alcatraz, Cancels Everything Else by Kevin Fitzpatrick - UGO (2011-05-11)
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