As the next presidential election is nearing on November 3, so is The Comey Rule, a Showtime limited series that will expose what went on during the controversial 2016 presidential election. Airing on September 27 and 28 with a two hour episode each night, it almost didn’t happen. Originally slated for release in November, its writer and director Billy Ray (The Last Tycoon) protested the decision and got the date moved up. A timely show revealing what it was like for FBI Director James Comey to work under the President of the United States for time, Ray discussed the importance of the show and why it matters according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Based off of the book A Higher Loyalty by Comey, The Comey Rule details his experience regarding the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails during the 2016 presidential election, and Donald Trump’s win as a result. Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower) stars as Comey and Brendan Gleeson (Mr. Mercedes) as Donald Trump. Holly Hunter (Succession) will star as Sally Yates and Michael Kelly (House of Cards) as Andrew McCabe. It is executive produced by Heather Kadin (Star Trek: Discovery), Alex Kurtzman (The Mummy), and Shane Salerno (Savages).
Ray discussed in a zoom press conference on Thursday why a show like this is so relevant right now, and why he wanted to make sure people saw it before the 2020 presidential election. In a quote picked up by The Hollywood Reporter, Ray said: “We wanted to tell a story that was moving and emotional and compelling and harrowing and oddly hopeful all at once, but we wanted to tell the truth — and you’re always trying to accomplish both when you’re telling a real life story. That, to me, is the power of the story that we told: We’re going to give people a look inside the rooms they couldn’t have possibly seen any other way.” Truth is a crucial theme that plays out within the upcoming limited series. Giving viewers an authentic look into the brutal world of politics, it showcases honest portrayals of America’s leaders.
Regarding adapting Comey’s book, Ray admires Comey and wanted to portray him as a noble man within his role as FBI director. Comey has since become an extremely controversial figure within American’s landscape, with some seeing him as the main reason Trump was elected. Via The Hollywood Reporter, Ray said: “I happen to be a fan of his. I believe in his integrity and I know him well enough to know who he is [and] I just wanted to tell the story of how heartbreaking it can be a public servant in the current landscape of America.” Comey even came to set the day the infamous dinner scene between Trump and Comey took place, an event that takes center stage in the series trailer.
The Comey Rule will air on September 27 and 28 on Showtime 9 PM ET/PT.
In case you missed it, here is the trailer for The Comey Rule: