AMC goes to The West with Redford

AMC has given a straight-to-series order to The West, a new docudrama series fronted by Hollywood A-lister Robert Redford.

The 8x60mins show will be produced by drama-doc specialist Stephen David Entertainment with Redford’s Sundance Productions.

The series will recreate and document key moments in the history of the American west, with Redford presenting the series, which will go out alongside the final installments of Western drama series Hell on Wheels this August.

The series will feature interviews with several stars of Western movie classics including James Caan, Tom Selleck, Kiefer Sutherland and Ed Harris.

“We are pleased to partner with Stephen David and AMC for the production of The West, which will transport audiences back to the days of the Wild West to meet the famous outlaws and lawmen that shaped American history and culture,” said executive producer Redford, whose Sundance Channel was acquired by AMC Networks predecessor Rainbow Media in 2008.

“This series is an opportunity to revisit an era of memorable events that were part of making the United States what it is today,” he added.

Stephen David Entertainment is now owned by Banijay Group, but MTG-owned DRG will be selling The West having inked a distribution deal for the series ahead of the acquisition of the US prodco. It will give the series its international launch at MIPCOM in October.

In related news, AMC also renewed another Stephen David drama doc, The Making of the Mob, for a second season. The show chronicles the growth of the Mafia in the US. The Making of The Mob: Chicago will follow the rise of Al Capone and the mob in middle America.