The Loudest Voice in the Room: Russell Crowe to play Roger Ailes in Showtime's new series
Showtime has announced that it has ordered an eight-episode limited series chronicling the story of the late Roger Ailes and his fall from grace following allegations of sexual harassment with Russell Crowe starring in the role of the former Chairman and CEO of Fox News and Fox Television Stations. The series will be based on Gabriel Sherman's 'The Loudest Voice in the Room,' with the author having co-written the first episode with Tom McCarthy, best known for writing Academy Award-winner 'Spotlight,' and sports comedy-drama 'Win Win.'
According to a description by Showtime, "To understand the events that led to the rise of Donald Trump, one must understand Ailes. The upcoming limited series takes on that challenge, focusing primarily on the past decade in which Ailes arguably became the Republican Party’s de facto leader, while flashing back to defining events in Ailes’ life, including an initial meeting with Richard Nixon on the set of 'The Mike Douglas Show' that gave birth to Ailes’ political career and the sexual harassment accusations and settlements that brought his Fox News reign to an end."
Speaking about their latest venture, Showtime Networks president and CEO David Nevins said: "In many ways, the collision between the media and politics has come to define the world we live in today," adding: "We’ve seen this phenomenon depicted on screen as far back as the story of Charles Foster Kane, and it finds contemporary embodiment in the rise and fall of Roger Ailes. With Russell Crowe in the lead role, this limited series promises to be a defining story for this era."
The show, which will be a co-production between Showtime and Blumhouse Television, is set to be Crowe's first major role in a television series in the United States. Showtime has reportedly been in talks and development with Sherman and Blumhouse on the possibility of taking the project forward for over a year.
Crowe came to international attention for his role as the Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in 2000 historical epic film 'Gladiator.' His bellowing one-liner from the movie, 'Are you not entertained,' is now etched in internet and meme folklore, though the Academy Award for Best Actor that he earned for it wins out as far as honors as concerned.
Other roles in movies such as 'The Insider,' where he portrayed a tobacco firm whistle blower, and 'A Beautiful Mind,' where he was cast as mathematician and Nobel Prize winner John F. Nash, established him firmly as one of Hollywood's most elite actors. Further credits in 'Robin Hood,' 'Les Misérables,' and 'Noah' did little to harm that reputation.
McCarthy, Blum and Alex Metcalf will serve as executive producers alongside Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold for Blumhouse Television.