Outsiders (TV series)
| Outsiders | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by | Peter Mattei |
| Starring |
|
| Theme music composer | Morgan O'Kane |
| Composer(s) | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 3 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Larry Rapaport |
| Editor(s) |
Daniel Gabbe Howard Leder |
| Location(s) |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania West Newton, Pennsylvania |
| Cinematography | Jamie Reynoso |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Production company(s) |
|
| Release | |
| Original network | WGN America |
| Original release | January 26, 2016 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Outsiders is an American television drama series created by Peter Mattei. Set in the fictional town of Blackburg, Crockett County, Kentucky, the series tells the story of the Farrell clan and their struggle for power and control in the hills of Appalachia. It is WGN America's third original series, which debuted on January 26, 2016.
Synopsis
Set in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, the series revolves around the interaction of a group of mountain folk known as the Farrell clan and the locals in the nearby town of Blackburg, Kentucky.
The Ferrells are an isolationist group of mountain folk, who shun normal society and live a spartan existence in the woods. Extremely paranoid of outsiders, the mountain that the family controls is coveted by a national mining outfit for the coal beneath it.
At the start of the series, Asa Farrell, a cousin of the ruling family, returns to the mountains after leaving ten years prior in order to join the military and experience life amongst normal society. His arrival coincides with the family matriarch Lady Ray Farrell announcing her intention to cede power to her son, "Big Foster" Farrell. Big Foster, who never forgave Asa for leaving his family, has Asa imprisoned in a cage for six months until he is freed due to his ability to read after an eviction notice is posted at the entrance of the mountain.
In town, the mining company has gained approval to evict the Farrell family from the mountain and seeks to expedite the process so mining operations can begin as soon as possible. Deputy Sheriff Wade Houghton is assigned the task to carry out the eviction process. Deputy Sheriff Houghton however, suffers from alcoholism and PTSD due to previous encounters with the violent and cold-blooded Farrell family. Houghton attempts to warn his superiors that any sort of eviction process will be bloody, result in loss of life on both sides, and will eventually de-evolve into a lengthy siege with the Farrells holding the advantage through their extensive knowledge of the mountains.
The eviction leads to a power struggle, as Lady Ray believes that the impending eviction is the apocalyptic event that the family believes in per a family prophecy. Because of this, she pardons Asa, freeing him from the cage and announces a delay in turning over authority to her son. She continues to refuse to change her mind when Big Foster, upset at being denied power, arranges a raid in town of a local mobster that goes bad and costs the life of Big Foster's youngest son.
Cast
Main
- David Morse as "Big Foster" Farrell VI,[1] the most powerful male on the hill, and next in line to be Bren'in, the Farrells’ leader. When denied his right of ascension, Farrell takes dangerous action to secure his power and to try to eliminate Asa, whom he considers to be a traitor to his family.
- Joe Anderson as Asa Farrell,[1] a cousin of Big Foster who left the mountains to join the military and returns home after a ten-year absence. He was once in love with his nephew "Lil Foster"'s wife G'Win, which creates tension as she attempts to help reintegrate him into the tribe.
- Gillian Alexy as G’Winveer "G'Win" Farrell,[2] Asa's third cousin and former lover. Currently involved with "Lil Foster", but seeks to help her former lover return to the family.
- Ryan Hurst as "Lil Foster" Farrell VII,[3] Big Foster's eldest son and enforcer and current boyfriend of G'Win.
- Kyle Gallner as Hasil Farrell,[4] Asa's fourth cousin, who was maimed by Big Foster after he stole some of the family's wine/moonshine to give to a drug dealer, who bought Hasil a drink when he snuck into town one night. Having lived most of his life on the mountain, Hasil wishes to know more about the civilized world, much to Big Foster's anger and dismay. Has a crush on Sally-Ann, a black resident of Blackburg.
- Christina Jackson as Sally-Ann,[5] One of the few African-American residents in Blackburg. Sally-Ann strikes up a friendship with Hasil, much to the anger of her brother, who does not want his sister to associate with a Farrell.
- Thomas M. Wright as Deputy Sheriff Wade Houghton, Jr.[6] A fifth-generation Houghton to live in Blackburg, second-in-command of the local Sheriff's department and single father, Houghton is given the assignment of evicting the Farrells from their mountain fortress. A task he fears due to an unstated past encounter with the Farrells, that led to him developing a great fear of the mountain clan. Suffers from PTSD and alcoholism as a result of said encounter.
Recurring
- Phyllis Somerville as Lady Ray Farrell,[1] Big Foster's mother and the current Bren'in
- Jason McCune as Ned Osborn
- Francie Swift as Haylie[1]
Production
The show was first titled Titans.[6] WGN America announced a 13-episode straight-to-series order in August 2014.[7] Filming began in Pittsburgh in May 2015.[8]
Episodes
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (million) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Farrell Wine" | Adam Bernstein | Peter Mattei | January 26, 2016 | 1.055[9] |
| 2 | 2 | "Doomsayer" | Adam Bernstein | Peter Mattei | February 2, 2016 | 0.840[10] |
| Big Foster calls in an assembly to banish Asa, as he blames him to have brought the misfortune that lead to the death of his son. Asa does not want to go back to the outside world after he did his cage time, and claims they need his literacy and outside views for the upcoming eviction. The clans decide on a pit fight against Lil' Foster, which Asa wins. Wade is sent to investigate on the origin of the moonshine, to help change the public opinion against the Farrells and secure the sheriff reelection, against the backdrop of the upcoming eviction, but he eventually destroys the evidence that he finds. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Messengers" | Michael Trim | Peter Mattei | February 9, 2016 | 0.881[11] |
| 4 | 4 | "Rubberneck"[12] | Michael Trim | TBA | February 16, 2016 | TBA |
| 5 | 5 | "Demolition"[12] | TBA | TBA | February 23, 2016 | TBA |
Reception
Reviews
The show has a favorable response from critics. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 63/100, based on 16 reviews.[13] On Rotten Tomatoes it has a certified fresh approval rating of 77% based on 22 reviews, with an average rating of 6.1/10. Its consensus being, "Outsiders' gritty performances keep the backwoods drama intriguing, even when the story gets stuck in the mud."[14]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Petski, Denise (October 13, 2015). "‘Outsiders’: First Trailer For WGN America’s Gritty Appalachia Tale". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (February 17, 2015). "Gillian Alexy To Star In ‘Outsiders’; Simon Merrells Cast In ‘Dominion’". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (February 10, 2015). "Cassie Scerbo Back For ‘Sharknado 3’". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (November 25, 2014). "Justina Machado Joins ‘Queen Of The South’; Kyle Gallner In ‘Outsiders’". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ↑ The Deadline Team (January 22, 2015). "Orla Brady Joins ‘Badlands’; Christina Jackson In ‘Outsiders’". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (November 12, 2014). "Thomas M. Wright To Co-Star In ‘Outsiders’ On WGN America". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ↑ "WGN America Expands Original Programming Slate". The futon Critic. August 13, 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ↑ "Production Begins in Pittsburgh on WGN America's "Outsiders," New Original Drama Series from Peter Mattei, Peter Tolan and Paul Giamatti". The Futon Critic. May 5, 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (January 27, 2016). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Update: 1.26.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 3, 2016). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.2.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 10, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.9.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
- 1 2 Surette, Tim (January 26, 2016). "Outsiders Series Premiere Review: Old Ways vs. Older Ways Makes For New Drama". TV.com. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
- ↑ Outsiders : Season 1 at Metacritic
- ↑ Outsiders: Season 1 at Rotten Tomatoes