NatGeo IS drama ‘State’ goes inside terror group

DiCaprio developing ‘Right Stuff’

LOS ANGELES, July 26, (RTRS): In an exclusive look at National Geographic’s upcoming two-part miniseries drama “The State,” viewers see one family’s path to radicalization at the hands of ISIS.

The fictional story follows Jalal, played by Sam Otto (“Collateral”), as he follows in his brother’s footsteps and travels to Raqqa, Syria, to fight for Islamic State, alongside his best friend, Ziyad, played by Ryan McKen (“NW”). It also follows the journey of Shakira, played by Ony Uhiara (“Law and Order”), a doctor and single mother who wants to help ISIS, and idealistic teenager Ushna, played by Shavani Seth (“Homeland”), who leaves for Syria after being radicalized online. The series, from “Wolf Hall” director Peter Kosminsky, will bow on Channel 4 in the UK and go out on National Geographic internationally. It is produced by Archery Pictures.

“ISIS and its adherents have caused pain and suffering the world over,” Kosminsky previously said. “But unless we understand why some of our young men and women chose to give up the lives they were living and travel to Syria, why men and women born and brought up in our liberal democracies opt to lay down those lives in its name, how can we ever hope to combat its nihilistic creed?”

“The State” will air on Sept 18 and 19 on National Geographic.

National Geographic is developing a scripted series adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s “The Right Stuff.” Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson are serving as executive producers. Will Staples will write and executive produce.

The project is part of a new scripted development deal at National Geographic with DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television.

Based on the 1979 book by Wolfe, “The Right Stuff” tells the story of the US fighter pilots who tested the early aircraft and rockets that became the foundation of the American space program, and of the first Mercury astronauts. The book was adapted into a 1983 feature film.

“Having already had a rich relationship with Leonardo, Jennifer and their production company Appian Way on ‘Before the Flood,’ I’m excited to work with them in a scripted capacity,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Global Networks. “With ‘The Right Stuff,’ we’re looking at moment in time where the everyday life, the trials and tribulations, of these men was scrutinized in the public. The story gives a peek into the minds and goals of these astronauts seeking exploration and adventure during the space race of the ’50s, making it the perfect story for National Geographic to tell.”

“National Geographic gave ‘Before the Flood’ an international platform, and we couldn’t think of a better partner to bring The Right Stuff to the world,” added Davisson. “The heroism of these astronauts was rivaled only by the country’s fascination with their story; this series uncovers both the adventure of space exploration and the adventure of being unwittingly thrust into the public eye.”

National Geographic also announced Tuesday an upcoming documentary about Princess Diana, “Diana: In Her Own Words,” set to premiere Aug 14. The network has also ordered a companion documentary to its upcoming scripted series “The Long Road Home,” from Martha Raddatz, and Lincoln Square Productions.

The creators of Comedy Central’s “Broad City” discussed their decision to use the word “Trump” as an expletive on the series’ fourth season during the TCA summer press tour on Tuesday.

“We got to a point where, in real life, we’re talking about the current administration, talking about Trump, and it sounds so gross like everyday saying it so many times and we just didn’t want to share air time,” Ilana Glazer said. “He’s got enough. It’s just a different kind of joke.”

Glazer and co-creator Abbi Jacobson also addressed the idea that the show represents a kind of “sneak attack feminism.”

“We had to do sneak attack early on when the conversation was, ‘Are women funny? Can women be hilarious or not so much?’” Jacobson said. “That literally used to be a question that was being asked.”

Season 4 of “Broad City” is set to premiere on Sept 13. The series follows Glazer and Jacobson as fictional versions of themselves as they try to navigate life in New York.

Comedy Central has extended the series orders for both “The President Show” and “The Jim Jefferies Show,” in addition to ordering a new sketch comedy special from Hasan Minhaj, the network announced Tuesday at the TCA summer press tour.

The Jim Jefferies Show” has received an order for 10 additional episodes. The series, which features the titular Australian comedian tackling politics and world issues, will see original episodes air through Aug 15. After a brief hiatus, new episodes from this extension will begin on Tuesday, Sept 19 at 10:30 pm ET/PT, following the fall season premiere of “Tosh.0.”

“I’m very grateful to Comedy Central for making our relationship more official,” said Jefferies. “Like all my relationships, I look forward to a few more months with Comedy Central before it starts crying outside of a bar at 2am. Or spray paints ‘liar’ on the side of my car.”

“Jim Jefferies continues to surprise me,” said Comedy Central president Kent Alterman. “I always knew he was wickedly funny. I had no idea he was so sexy in real life.”