Based on Paul Schrader’s 1980s crime movie of the same name, the R-rated film ‘American Gigolo’ features the life of a male escort (Julian), whose job is to please a clientele of upper-class women. But when suddenly one of his clients is killed, Julian is wrongly convicted to 15 years of prison in spite of having a reasonable excuse. After being released, he investigates the murder, while attempting to reconcile with the people with whom he lost touch years ago. The genres covered in the show are crime, drama, mystery, thriller, and, romance.
Developed by David Hollander, this series is executive produced by David Hollander, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, and KristieAnne Reed, with Matthew Barber as the producer and Paramount Television Studios as the production company. Showtime had set up the project for development, with Neil LaBute attached as the writer.
Although Hollander was set as the series show-runner, he left the project after an on-set misconduct investigation which led to the production being shut down for 4 days. The production had once again been paused for at least two weeks on account of David Bar-Katz’s exit from the show.
It finally premiered on Showtime on 11th September 2022. Nikki Toscano was then announced as the first season’s showrunner and served as an executive producer as well. The 1980 film’s writer/director Paul Schrader is not involved in the television adaptation. For most parts of the show, filming was done in Los Angeles.
American Gigolo Release Date
The first season of the show will be broadcast on 9th September 2022as, an early release on demand for Showtime subscribers. It then made an on-air debut on Showtime’s linear cable channel on 11th September 2022. Consisting of 8 episodes, the show is expected to end on 30th October (for on-demand and streaming), after streaming weekly, first every Friday via streaming before appearing on air every Sunday night.
American Gigolo Storyline
This show revolves around the life of a former male escort Julian. Who, after serving in prison for a decade and a half years, has finally been released on account of wrongly being held responsible for the murder of a lady. Once free, while working as a gigolo, he tries to figure out who framed him by uncovering secrets from the past, all while reconnecting with his past love.
Michelle, his troubled mother, and the people who betrayed him. Julian struggles to reconcile the escort he was in the past and the man he is today. Meanwhile, a certain Detective Sunday, who was the one to put him behind bars digs into the truth of the unresolved murder mystery of the lady, which sent Julian unjustly behind bars and ends up unearthing a much larger conspiracy.
When Entertainment Weekly asked executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer about the show, he simply said, “Expect heightened mystery, danger, and desires as Jon Bernthal takes the movie’s iconic character on a contemporary, exhilarating journey”.
American Gigolo Episode Guide
Here is an episode guide for the episodes that have been streamed till now:
Episode 1, ‘Pilot’ (September 11, 2022) Former gigolo is suddenly acquitted of wrongly being framed for a murder, after spending 15 years in prison. He has no interest in life since he now has no chance at living the life he wanted to have and mainly has no idea as to who framed him.
Episode 2, ‘Pretty Baby’ (September 18, 2022) When his old madam delivers him a cryptic message regarding a young girl’s suicide. Julian’s attempts to break free and start a new life of honest means are sabotaged. Meanwhile, Michelle circumvents her husband to find their runaway son.
Episode 3, ‘Rapture’ (September 25, 2022) Julian tries to interpret a dead woman’s message as Colin finds himself on the run from his father’s violent associates. Meanwhile, Michelle realizes her son is in more danger than she thought – and so is Julian.
The remaining episodes are to be aired as follows:
In Episode 4, ‘Nothing is Real but the Girl (October 2nd, 2022) Julian returns to Isabelle’s fold to charm a complicated new client. Michelle’s past catches up to her as she attempts to save her missing son – forcing her to choose between the two loves of her life.
Episode 5 ‘The Escape Wheel’ (October 9th, 2022)
Episode 6 ‘Sunday Girl (October 16th, 2022)
Episode 7 ‘Atomic’ (October 23rd, 2022)
Episode 8 ‘East of Eden’ (October 30th, 2022)
American Gigolo Cast
Besides Bernthal as Julian Kaye and Mol as Michelle, the series also features Lizzie Brocheré as Isabelle, the heiress to a ring of sex workers; Gabriel LaBelle as Johnny, a younger version of Julian; Harlow Happy Hexum as a younger version of Isabelle; Leland Orser as Richard Stratton, a self-made tech billionaire; Rosie O’Donnell as Detective Sunday; and guest star Wayne Brady as Julian’s best friend and mentor Lorenzo. Other guest stars include Alex Fernandez (Runaways), Sandrine Holt (House of Cards), Yolonda Ross (The Chi), and Melora Walters (Pen15).
American Gigolo Trailer
Showtime dropped the teaser for ‘American Gigolo’ on its Youtube channel on 22nd May 2022, which got fans all overwhelmed to see their favorite 1980s film adaptation being made. The official trailer for the show was released on August 18th, 2022. The trailer shows Julian being freed from prison and getting back to work—as well as flashing back to his childhood. The mystery of the series got the audience eager to watch the show.
What was the movie American Gigolo about?
The original American Gigolo released on 1st February 1980, tells the tale of a high-priced male escort in Los Angeles, who gets romantically entangled with a high-profile politician’s wife. while simultaneously becoming the prime suspect in a murder case. The movie showcases all the trouble Julian went through in order to prove himself innocent. This movie starred Richard Gere as Julian Kay, Lauren Hutton as Michelle Stratton, Bill Duke as Leon James, and Hector Elizondo as Detective Joe Sunday in pivotal roles.
Where to watch American Gigolo?
One must purchase a Showtime subscription in order to enjoy the show. Viewers can also access Showtime via the channel’s app or cable tv. Besides this, viewers may get Showtime through a number of other apps like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Roku.
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