According to Variety, Emperor of Ocean Park series has signed Forest Whitaker(Godfather of Harlem, The Butler) as a star. The series is created by John Wells (Burnt, The Company Men) and will air on MGM+. He joins Grantham Coleman (Lawman: Bass Reaves), Tiffany Mack (Jessica Jones), and Pauline Lule (Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D), who were previously announced cast members.
He will portray Judge Oliver Garland, the head of his family and a well-known figure in both national politics and legal system. He is sharp, astute, cunning, and arrogant. Due to his experiences navigating hostile and unwelcoming environments as a Black man in America, he has developed a hard exterior that he has now uses as a shield. According to the description provided by Variety, Whitaker’s character is a loving father whose dedication to his family both supports and undermines his deeply conservative beliefs.
As Variety notes, Whitaker expresses his excitement for the role, stating, ““I’m excited to be playing Judge Oliver Garland, and thank John Wells, Sherman Payne (Shameless, Legacies), and Michael Wright (A Dog’s Purpose, Ready Player One) for this opportunity to join the cast and crew of Emperor of Ocean Park, as we bring Stephen L. Carter’s (The Culture of Disbelief, Integrity) extraordinary novel to life.
Emperor of Ocean Park follows Talcott Garland, played by Grantham Coleman(Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Black Bear), is a law professor whose quiet life changes when his father dies.
According to the actual description, Talcott’s sister Mariah (Tiffany Mack), a former journalist and devoted conspiracy theorist, questions the nature of the judge’s death and believes the judge, a failed Black nominee to the Supreme Court, met with foul play.
Michael Wright, the head of MGM+, said of Forest Whitaker according to Variety, “He brings his unique gravitas and grace to every role he plays”. Wright follows up with “We are extremely lucky that Forest will play Judge Oliver Garland, a multifaceted and nuanced character, and once more leave his incomparable mark on MGM+ original series”.
According to Variety, Wells comments on Whitaker “We are delighted and honored to have Forest Whitaker joining the cast of ‘Emperor of Ocean Park'”. Well expresses his gratitude for Whitaker taking the role by saying “He’s who we always hoped would agree to play Judge Garland and his addition to our talented cast is very exciting.”
Through his John Wells Production banner, Damian Marciano (“Lawman: Bass Reeves”), Erin Jontow (Maid, Shameless), Sherman Page, and Shukree Tilghman (This Is Us, The Vampire Diaries) will executive produce alongside John Wells, who will also direct multiple episodes. Marcano will direct the first episode which Payne, who also serves as a showrunner, wrote. Produced in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television, JWP has an overall deal in place for the series.
As Variety notes, Payne explained, ““I’m incredibly excited for the legendary Forest Whitaker to join Emperor of Ocean Park. Portraying the patriarch of our onscreen family, Forest brings thoughtfulness, leadership, and unimpeachable talent to an already incredible cast. Since the very first draft, Forest has been my dream candidate for this role, and it is truly humbling that we are now working together to bring this story to life.”
WME, Entertainment 360, and Mckuin Frankel Whitehead are Payne’s representatives. Bob Bookman and Lynn Nesbitt of Janklow and Nesbitt are representing Carter and the book. Joel Vanderkloot and Rothman Brecher Ehrich Livingston are Marcano’s representatives.
Linden Entertainment and WME represent Whitaker.