Longing for a season in the sun, AMC has given the green light to the Lodge 49 TV show, written and created by Jim Gavin, who is producing with showrunner Peter Ocko, Paul Giamatti, and Dan Carey. Described as a “modern fable,” the scripted drama is set in Long Beach, California.

The ten one-hour episodes of Lodge 49 feature Dud, “a deadbeat but charming ex-surfer.” After the death of his father, Dud joins a fraternal order in an attempt to return to living a simple, happy life. AMC says, “Dud will come to find the missing sense of purpose in his life and confront his deepest fears and greatest hopes.” For more information, check out AMC’s press release.  

AMC GREENLIGHTS SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES, “LODGE 49”

NEW YORK, NY, October 4, 2016 – AMC today announced that it has greenlit a new drama series called “Lodge 49,” produced by Peter Ocko (“Pushing Daisies,” “The Office”), Jim Gavin (Author, “Middle Men”), Paul Giamatti (“Billions,” “Sideways,” “Outsiders,” “Hoke”), and Dan Carey (“Outsiders,” “Hoke” “John Dies At The End,” “All Is Bright”) for AMC Studios. Ocko also serves as showrunner.

Written and created by Gavin, “Lodge 49” is a modern fable set in Long Beach.  The series is centered on Dud, a deadbeat but charming ex-surfer who joins a fraternal order hoping to reclaim the simple, happy lifestyle he lost when his father died. Through the Lodge and his newfound connection with the other members, Dud will come to find the missing sense of purpose in his life and confront his deepest fears and greatest hopes. AMC has ordered ten one-hour episodes.

“Lodge 49 is a show that defies easy categorization. It is, at once, a show about a loveable loser, the idea that life can be magical if you look at it from the right angle, what it means to be on the fringe, and the importance of community. It’s also incredibly funny, poignant and truly entertaining” said Joel Stillerman, President of Original Programming and Development for AMC and SundanceTV. “This is a formidable creative team beginning with series creator Jim Gavin, show runner Peter Ocko, and the awesome producing team of Dan Carey and Paul Giamatti. Their passion and vision won the day, and we look forward to working with them to bring it to life.”

“Jim Gavin is a unique American storyteller and I’m thrilled that we have the opportunity to bring his honest, hilarious, and often insane vision to life,” said Peter Ocko, showrunner of the series.

“I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this project and to be working with AMC, ” said Jim Gavin, creator of the series.

Giamatti said, “We are beyond excited to be doing this unique show under the auspices of the fine folks at AMC.”

Other key characters featured in “Lodge 49” include Liz Dudley, Dud’s twin sister and Ernie Fontaine, a middle-aged African American and long-time lodge member who welcomes him into this mysterious new world.

Jim Gavin, Paul Giamatti and Dan Carey are represented by UTA. Peter Ocko is represented by WME.

About AMC

AMC is home to some of the most popular and acclaimed programs on television. AMC was the first basic cable network to ever win the Emmy^® Award for Outstanding Drama Series with “Mad Men” in 2008, which then went on to win the coveted award four years in a row, before “Breaking Bad” won it in 2013 and 2014. The network’s series “The Walking Dead” is the highest-rated series in cable history and the number one show on television among adults 18-49 for the last four years.  AMC’s other current original drama series include “Better Call Saul,” “Hell on Wheels,” “Turn: Washington’s Spies,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” “Humans,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Into the Badlands,” “The Night Manager,” “Preacher,” and the forthcoming “The Son” and “The Terror.” AMC also explores authentic worlds and discussion with original shows like “Talking Dead,” “The Making of The Mob,” “Comic Book Men,” “Ride with Norman Reedus” and “The American West.” AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, SundanceTV, BBC America and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.

What do you think? How do you like the sound of the Lodge 49 TV series? Who would you cast as Dud? Let us know, below.