For the second time in a matter of weeks, Showtime’s American Gigolo has halted production with another loss of creative executive. According to Deadline, David Bar Katz (Ray Donovan) has left the series. Katz was serving as co-executive producer for the televised sequel to the 1980s film. Deadline reports the reasoning for his departure is currently unknown.
Katz had been working with the then-director, executive producer, and series developer, David Hollander (Heartland), for the Paramount TV Studios-produced project. However, after Hollander was removed from the series due to allegations of misconduct, Katz stepped into more showrunner position. Katz was to share the responsibilities with Nikki Toscano (The Offer) and Russell Rothberg (Happy Happy Bang Bang) as they joined as consulting producers, according to Deadline.
The series will now remain out of production for at least two weeks, via Deadline, as Toscano and Rothberg work to complete the script and adjust to other changes. Their main objective will be to finish the eighth episode, which is now being touted as the season finale. The show was originally set for a ten-episode order.
Starring We Own This City’s Jon Bernthal as Julian Kaye, American Gigolo will pick up fifteen years after the film’s ending as Julian adjusts to life outside of prison. The former male escort will not only have to adapt to the modern-day sex work industry, but he will attempt to piece together who framed him for the murder that falsely imprisoned him. Richard Gere (MotherFatherSon) famously held the role in the 1980 movie.
Along with Bernthal, the series is set to star Leland Orser (Berlin Station) and Sandrine Holt (House of Cards), Gretchen Mol (Boardwalk Empire), Rosie O’Donnell (SMILF), Wayne Brady (Black Lightning), Lizzie Brocheré (Falling Water), and Gabriel LaBelle (Dead Shack).
Hollander was part of a trifecta of men recently let go from TV productions. Netflix cut ties with actor Frank Langella (The Americans), and ABC terminated its relationship with Fred Savage (The Wonder Years), both for alleged misconduct onset of their respective shows.