National Geographic’s limited drama series, The Right Stuff, will now be home to Disney Plus. The eight- episode show will be the first original scripted series from National Geographic to feature on Disney Plus’s platform, according to Variety.
The Right Stuff, which was based on the late Tom Wolfe’s (The Electric Kool- Aid Acid Test, The Right Stuff) bestselling 1979 book concentrates on 1959 at the height of the Cold War. During this time, NASA is eagerly trying to complicate the Space Race for the Soviet Union by giving seven of the military’s most skilled test pilots two years to beat the Russians to space.
This story of American triumph and heroism, according to the president of National Geographic Global Television Networks, Courtney Monroe, “could not be told more timely,” Deadline affirms. Monroe believes that The Right Stuff is “an aspirational story about exploration, ambition, determination, and resilience and reminds us that human beings can achieve the extraordinary when united by a common purpose.”
Showrunner, Mark Lafferty (Halt and Catch Fire, Castle Rock,), also sides with Monroe by assuring American viewers that “at a time when the world is confronted with significant challenges, this story reminds us that what seems impossible today can become the triumph of tomorrow,” according to Deadline.
The Warner Horizon TV series houses Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, The Wolf of Wall Street, Inception) and Jennifer Davisson (Red Riding Hood, Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle) as executive producers. Along with Chris Long (The Americans, The Mentalist) as a director and executive producer of the shows first episode, Will Staples (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Myth) and Howard Korder (Boardwalk Empire, Lakeview Terrace) also as executive producers. Thelma Schoonmaker (The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street) and Danny Strong (Empire, Game Change) are consulting directors on the series, and Michael Hampton (Out of the Furnace, Delirium) operates as co-producer on behalf of Appian Way.
The show homes in on protagonists, members of the “Mercury 7”, Major John Glenn, who is played by Patrick J. Adams (Suits, Clara). and Lieutenant Commander, Alan Shephard, where Jake McDorman (American Sniper, Manhattan Love Story) takes on the role. The other infamous members of the memorable NASA mission who are emulated in the series are Lieutenant Gordon Cooper (Colin O’ Donoghue), Wally Schirra (Aaron Staton), Scott Carpenter (James Lafferty,) Deke Slayton (Micah Stock,) and Gus Grisson (Michael Trotter.)
Despite America still trying to gain leverage on the ongoing health pandemic caused by COVID-19, Disney Plus executives believe this time to be as right as any to have given The Right Stuff an official home, sources from Variety confirm. They also believe this move to be a great effort at “broadening” the potential audience for the series. The president of content and marketing for Disney Plus, Ricky Strauss, offered this promising message:
“As our audiences around the world turn to Disney+ to find inspiration and optimism, we believe the true-life heroism of the Mercury 7 will showcase the tenacity of the human spirit and inspire a new generation to reach for the stars.”
The limited series will premiere on Disney Plus this fall. A behind the scenes look from the show is also available.