‘American Hostage’ Trailer: Jon Hamm Is Caught in a Tense Standoff in MGM+ Series

Adding to its already impressive catalog of series and specials, MGM+ is gearing up for its new thriller anthology, American Hostage, co-created and executive-produced by Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers, and a newly released trailer and images are giving us a closer look at what to expect.

Similar in format to American Horror Story or Feud, the show is structured as an anthology, with each season centered on a different hostage situation. This approach allows each installment to tell a contained story while exploring new characters and high-stakes scenarios.

The first eight-episode chapter adapts the debut season of the scripted podcast of the same name and will feature Jon Hamm reprising his original role for the series.

Here is everything we know so far about the MGM+ series, including what the new trailer reveals and a first look at the newly released photos.

Steven Ackerman/MGM+/Sony Pictures Television

Steven Ackerman/MGM+/Sony Pictures Television

When does American Hostage premiere?

The eight-part thriller will debut on September 20 with a two-episode premiere.

What is American Hostage about?

Set in the so-called “Me Decade” of the 1970s, the first season follows the true story of Fred Heckman (played by Hamm), an Indianapolis radio reporter and respected journalist who is thrust into the spotlight after a man named Tony Kiritsis demands to be interviewed on his show.

Kiritsis, angry over a dispute with a mortgage company, took a mortgage executive hostage. During the standoff, Kiritsis demanded airtime and specifically requested Heckman.

The official logline of the series states: “Based on the acclaimed first season of the scripted podcast of the same name, American Hostage is a psychological thriller set in the 1970’s that tells the harrowing true story of Fred Heckman, a beloved Indianapolis radio reporter who is thrust into the middle of a life-or-death crisis when hostage-taker Tony Kiritsis demands to be interviewed on his popular radio news program.”

Steven Ackerman/MGM+/Sony Pictures Television

Who stars in American Hostage?

Playing opposite Hamm is Giovanni Ribisi as Tony Kiritsis, who takes company executive Dick Hall hostage after he is threatened with foreclosure. Rigging a shotgun to fire if Hall moved, Kiritsis demands airtime and specifically requests reporter Heckman to cover the story during the tense standoff. Deadline broke the story on September 17.

Mireille Enos will play the role of Barbara, Fred’s wife, who forges a friendship with the hostage’s wife due to their circumstances.

William Jackson Harper will also join the period thriller, taking on the series regular role of Ben Hairston, Fred’s mentee at WIBC News, whose journalistic ethics are tested during the hostage crisis. And Kristoffer Polaha will play Dick Hall.

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Who is behind American Hostage?

Hamm, Ryan, and Myers executive produce along with Connie Tavel, Sharon Hoffman, and Ryan’s MiddKid Productions partner, Marney Hochman. The company behind the American Hostage podcast, Shawn Christensen and Gabriel Mason of Criminal Content, also serve as executive producers.

Is there a trailer?

Yes! A new trailer highlights Hamm as radio personality Fred as he is pulled into a hostage situation by Tony, who requests an interview live on the air. Watch it above.

MGM+

American Hostage, September 20, MGM+