Before the most recent episode of Game of Thrones premiered, HBO unveiled its first trailer for The Night Of. The series was created by Oscar-winning screenwriter Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List) and Richard Price (The Wire). The show centers on a complex New York City murder case, examining the police investigation, legal proceedings, and the criminal justice system as well.
Watch the trailer below:
The one and a half minute trailer starts off with the accused man saying “what am I not seeing? Explain to me what I am not understanding?” At this point you can see him in a prison cell as his lawyer approaches him and tells him “I want to tell you something and it’s the most important thing you’ll ever hear in your life.” There’s a dramatic pause and then the lawyer goes on to say “Don’t talk to anybody anymore. Shut it.” The teaser also shows random shots of what appears to be the scene of the gruesome crime including a telephone, a deer’s head, an apartment, staircase, and a bloody bedroom.
According to Collider, the series was originally meant for actor James Gandolfini as a passion project. The late Sopranos star was set to topline the project, which was inspired by the 2008 BBC series Criminal Justice. That show was about an attorney who was involved in an overwhelming case involving a Pakistani man accused of killing a woman in New York City’s Upper West Side. After Gandolfini’s death, Golden Globe-nominee John Turturro (Quiz Show) took his place as the lead role. Zaillian and Price will write all eight episodes of the show and Zaillian will serve as director.
You can catch The Night Of on Sunday, July 10th at 10pm ET/PT with a 90-minute premiere. After it’s hour and a half debut, the series will then feature seven hour long episodes.