Stars Will Don Pinstripes for ESPN

Zap2It.com | September 19, 2006

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Oliver Platt
Oliver Platt
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Turturro, Sunjata and Platt will co-star

ESPN has cast some key members of the 1977 New York Yankees for its upcoming miniseries "The Bronx Is Burning."

Based on Jonathan Mahler's well-regarded bestseller "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning," the eight-party telefilm will look at the summer of 1977, when the Son of Sam was terrifying New Yorkers, a blackout struck the city and the Yankees were feuding their way to a World Series title.

Emmy-nominee Oliver Platt ("Huff") will play meddling owner George Steinbrenner, with Emmy-winner John Turturro ("Quiz Show" as scrappy manager Billy Martin. Daniel Sunjata ("Rescue Me") will play Hall of Fame slugger (and candy bar inspiration) Reggie Jackson, the star of the team.

"John, Oliver and Daniel are three tremendous actors. Playing real-life characters is a challenge, particularly portraying some of the most controversial personalities the sports world has ever known," says Ron Semiao, ESPN Original Entertainment's senior vice president, programming. "What makes this story so compelling is the polarization and contradictions of these central characters which leads to great conflict. Their collective abilities and unquestionable talent will bring phenomenal and memorable performances to the ESPN audience."

Jeremiah Chechik ("The Avengers," ESPN's "Tilt") will direct the entire miniseries, which is expected to premiere in July 2007. Shooting began Monday (Sept. 18) with Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins and Joe Davola producing.
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