Christina Jackson (Outsiders) has been tapped as the female lead opposite Y’lan Noel in The Spook Who Sat by the Door, FX’s drama pilot based on Sam Greenlee’s spy novel, which is executive produced by Lee Daniels.
Written by Leigh Dana Jackson and to be directed by Gerard McMurray, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells at the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), who has just been hired as the only Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.
Jackson will play Joy Freeman, an up-and-coming attorney committed to making a difference in her community and Dan’s (Noel) wife.
Greenlee’s book, published in 1969, was turned into a 1973 feature film, in which the roles of Dan Freeman and Joy Freeman were played by Lawrence Cook and Janet League, respectively.
2020-21 FX Pilots & Series Orders
The Spook Who Sat by the Door...
Written by Leigh Dana Jackson and to be directed by Gerard McMurray, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells at the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), who has just been hired as the only Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.
Jackson will play Joy Freeman, an up-and-coming attorney committed to making a difference in her community and Dan’s (Noel) wife.
Greenlee’s book, published in 1969, was turned into a 1973 feature film, in which the roles of Dan Freeman and Joy Freeman were played by Lawrence Cook and Janet League, respectively.
2020-21 FX Pilots & Series Orders
The Spook Who Sat by the Door...
- 4/14/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Christina Jackson has been cast in a leading role in the FX pilot based on the Sam Greenlee novel “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” Variety has learned.
The project was ordered to pilot at FX in February. Jackson will star opposite series lead Y’lan Noel. She will play Joy Freeman, an up-and-coming attorney committed to making a difference in her community and Dan’s (Noel) wife.
“The Spook Who Sat By The Door” was previously adapted into a film in 1973 with Lawrence Cook in the lead role. The story follows Dan Freeman, the fictional first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a...
The project was ordered to pilot at FX in February. Jackson will star opposite series lead Y’lan Noel. She will play Joy Freeman, an up-and-coming attorney committed to making a difference in her community and Dan’s (Noel) wife.
“The Spook Who Sat By The Door” was previously adapted into a film in 1973 with Lawrence Cook in the lead role. The story follows Dan Freeman, the fictional first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a...
- 4/14/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Insecure alum Y’lan Noel has been tapped as the lead in The Spook Who Sat by the Door, FX’s drama pilot based on Sam Greenlee’s spy novel, which is executive produced by Lee Daniels.
Written by Leigh Dana Jackson and to be directed by Gerard McMurray, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells at the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), who has just been hired as the only Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.
The project reunites Noel and McMurray after Noel headlined the 2018 Universal feature The First Purge, the prequel to the Purge franchise, which McMurray directed.
Greenlee’s book was published in 1969 and turned into a feature film in 1973, in which Lawrence Cook starred as Dan Freeman.
2020-21 FX Pilots & Series Orders
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is produced by 20th Television.
Written by Leigh Dana Jackson and to be directed by Gerard McMurray, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells at the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), who has just been hired as the only Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.
The project reunites Noel and McMurray after Noel headlined the 2018 Universal feature The First Purge, the prequel to the Purge franchise, which McMurray directed.
Greenlee’s book was published in 1969 and turned into a feature film in 1973, in which Lawrence Cook starred as Dan Freeman.
2020-21 FX Pilots & Series Orders
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is produced by 20th Television.
- 3/22/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
FX has ordered a pilot for a series adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s spy novel “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” Variety has learned.
The adaptation of the book will be written by Leigh Dana Jackson, who will also serve as executive producer and showrunner. Lee Daniels and Marc Velez will also executive produce on behalf of Lee Daniels Entertainment. The book was originally optioned through the Daniels’ Inclusion Fund. Gerard McMurray will direct the pilot in addition to executive producing. 20th Television will produce.
“’The Spook Who Sat By the Door’ was my dad’s favorite book,” said Daniels. “He’d be so proud that I’m doing this and even prouder that I’m doing this with Gerard and Dana—two bold and brilliant Black storytellers.”
“The Spook Who Sat By The Door” was previously adapted into a film in 1973 with Lawrence Cook in the lead role.
The adaptation of the book will be written by Leigh Dana Jackson, who will also serve as executive producer and showrunner. Lee Daniels and Marc Velez will also executive produce on behalf of Lee Daniels Entertainment. The book was originally optioned through the Daniels’ Inclusion Fund. Gerard McMurray will direct the pilot in addition to executive producing. 20th Television will produce.
“’The Spook Who Sat By the Door’ was my dad’s favorite book,” said Daniels. “He’d be so proud that I’m doing this and even prouder that I’m doing this with Gerard and Dana—two bold and brilliant Black storytellers.”
“The Spook Who Sat By The Door” was previously adapted into a film in 1973 with Lawrence Cook in the lead role.
- 2/8/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
FX has picked up a pilot for a series adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” the cable network announced Monday. Lee Daniels will executive produce the series.
The 1969 novel tells the fictional story of the first Black CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. Greenlee’s book, considered a major work of the Black nationalist movement during the civil rights era, was previously adapted for the screen in 1973, with Lawrence Cook starring as the novel’s protagonist, Dan Freeman.
Per FX, “The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, ‘left by the door’ as a token of the CIA’s ‘racial equality.
The 1969 novel tells the fictional story of the first Black CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. Greenlee’s book, considered a major work of the Black nationalist movement during the civil rights era, was previously adapted for the screen in 1973, with Lawrence Cook starring as the novel’s protagonist, Dan Freeman.
Per FX, “The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, ‘left by the door’ as a token of the CIA’s ‘racial equality.
- 2/8/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Actor Ivan Dixon was a favorite of Rod Serling's, who cast him in The Twilight Zone twice. Dixon was black, and Serling fought to get minorities on TV in roles that weren't defined only by race. Dixon went on to become a prolific TV director himself, and made two features. Trouble Man (1972) is a not-particularly-ambitious blacksploitation pic that does everything it sets out to do with efficiency. The following year's The Spook Who Sat by the Door aims much, much higher, telling an epic, politically-charged story spanning years and leaping from Langley to Chicago. "Spook": racist epithet for an African American. Slang term for a spy. The set-up: a beleaguered politician decides to divert criticism by accusing the CIA of racism: they have no Black agents. So a recruitment drive is started, but many within the organization don't intend to allow any of the applicants to succeed. Most...
- 9/5/2018
- MUBI
Lee Daniels Entertainment has optioned Sam Greenlee’s spy novel The Spook Who Sat By The Door to develop as a series based on the book and the 1970s cult classic blakxpoitation film of the same name, with Fox 21 Television Studios.
A search is out for a writer. Based on the book, the potential series looks at the fictional story of Dan Freeman, the first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, ‘left by the door’ as a token of the CIA’s ‘racial equality’.
Greenlee’s novel was first published in March 1969 by Allison & Busby in the UK,...
A search is out for a writer. Based on the book, the potential series looks at the fictional story of Dan Freeman, the first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, ‘left by the door’ as a token of the CIA’s ‘racial equality’.
Greenlee’s novel was first published in March 1969 by Allison & Busby in the UK,...
- 8/15/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Melrose Place veteran Vanessa Williams has joined the Days of Our Lives TV show cast, on NBC. The actress announced the news on Instagram (see below). She is a re-cast of the Dr. Valerie Grant character, originated by Tina Andrews in 1975, who played the part until 1977. Kitty Lester and the late Lawrence Cook played Valerie's parents, Helen and Paul Grant. Soap Central reports Andrews was not approached to reprise the role.Rose Fonseca assumed the role of Valerie from 1977 to '78. Diane Sommerfield brought the character back to Salem, from 1981 to '82. Per Deadline, Williams' first airdate is slated for October 25, 2016. Since Valerie's former love interest, Abe Carver (James Reynolds), is widowed, unattached, and still living in Salem...
- 10/6/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Netflix has revolutionized the home movie experience for fans of film with its instant streaming technology. Netflix Nuggets is my way of spreading the word about independent, classic and foreign films made available by Netflix for instant streaming.
Sorry, folks… there are simply too many great films streaming this week to post an image for them all, but that’s a good thing, eh? You’ve got your movie watching work cut out for you, due in great part to Miramax releasing damn near their entire catalog of films on one day!
B. Monkey (1999)
Streaming Available: 05/01/2011
Director: Michael Radford
Synopsis: Good-hearted schoolteacher Alan Furnace (Jared Harris) desperately wants some excitement in his life — and he may just get some. One lonely night at a London bar, Alan spies the raven-haired beauty Beatrice (Asia Argento) arguing with two friends, Paul (Rupert Everett) and Bruno (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers). Beatrice quickly befriends Alan and...
Sorry, folks… there are simply too many great films streaming this week to post an image for them all, but that’s a good thing, eh? You’ve got your movie watching work cut out for you, due in great part to Miramax releasing damn near their entire catalog of films on one day!
B. Monkey (1999)
Streaming Available: 05/01/2011
Director: Michael Radford
Synopsis: Good-hearted schoolteacher Alan Furnace (Jared Harris) desperately wants some excitement in his life — and he may just get some. One lonely night at a London bar, Alan spies the raven-haired beauty Beatrice (Asia Argento) arguing with two friends, Paul (Rupert Everett) and Bruno (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers). Beatrice quickly befriends Alan and...
- 4/29/2011
- by Travis Keune
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is one of the greatest titles for a film, possibly ever, not only because it's memorable but because it serves as a warning. It's not just that the main character is a black man who happens to be a government agent (cough cough, "spook"), but also because he "sat by the door," which refers to the early days of Affirmative Action when blacks would be seated near entrances so businesses can brag about integration. Regardless of the seating arrangement, however, this is one black man who takes the lesson to heart and walks out the door equipped to hold his own. He is the token nightmare.
A joke, which I first heard on The Wire, but sounds familiar enough that I'm sure it had other origins:
Q: What is the scariest thing in America?
A: A nigga with a library card.
This highly...
A joke, which I first heard on The Wire, but sounds familiar enough that I'm sure it had other origins:
Q: What is the scariest thing in America?
A: A nigga with a library card.
This highly...
- 8/27/2009
- by Arya Ponto
- JustPressPlay.net
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is one of the greatest titles for a film, possibly ever, not only because it's memorable but because it serves as a warning. It's not just that the main character is a black man who happens to be a government agent (cough cough, "spook"), but also because he "sat by the door," which refers to the early days of Affirmative Action when blacks would be seated near entrances so businesses can brag about integration. Regardless of the seating arrangement, however, this is one black man who takes the lesson to heart and walks out the door equipped to hold his own. He is the token nightmare.
A joke, which I first heard on The Wire, but sounds familiar enough that I'm sure it had other origins:
Q: What is the scariest thing in America?
A: A nigga with a library card.
This highly...
A joke, which I first heard on The Wire, but sounds familiar enough that I'm sure it had other origins:
Q: What is the scariest thing in America?
A: A nigga with a library card.
This highly...
- 8/27/2009
- by Arya Ponto
- JustPressPlay.net
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