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“OUTSIDERS” EXCLUSIVE – Getting Into Character

WGN America, a sister station to 5NEWS, will soon premiere a new original drama series called “Outsiders.” It’s a tale of struggle for power and control, set in...

WGN America, a sister station to 5NEWS, will soon premiere a new original drama series called “Outsiders.” It’s a tale of struggle for power and control, set in the rugged hills of Appalachia. The 13-episode, one-hour drama, explores the epic battle between the Farrell Clan, a tight-knit family of renegades who have lived atop the rugged Shay Mountain for over two hundred years, and anyone who would dare to challenge them or threaten their land and way of life—including the town below.

The Farrells live off the grid and above the law, enforcing their own set of long-held values and beliefs, governed by a simple but powerful tribal authority led by a Bren’in, or ruler, and a small council of elders. Notoriously secretive and unforgiving when crossed, the Farrells find themselves in conflict with the residents of the nearest town nestled at the foot of Shay Mountain. These locals—and all others outside the tribe—embody greed, malice and all forms of corruption that must be avoided at all costs, making direct contact with the ‘Losties’ (termed by the Farrells) strictly forbidden.

For the last 20 years, an uneasy truce has generally presided between the ‘Losties’ and the family tribe of Shay Mountain—that is, until Big Coal enters the arena. Never ones to back down from a fight, the Farrells will ultimately defend their way of life using any available means.

The ensemble cast for “Outsiders” includes: David Morse (“Treme,” “Hurt Locker”) as Big Foster, the gruff and powerful heir to tribe leadership; Thomas M. Wright (“The Bridge,” “Top of the Lake”) as Sheriff Wade Houghton, a cop who has a rough history with the Farrells, and grapples with several troubles of his own; Ryan Hurst (“Sons of Anarchy,” “Bates Motel”), as Lil Foster, a massive mountain man and son of Big Foster; Joe Anderson (“The Divide,” “Across the Universe”) as Asa, a former member of the Farrell clan looking to rejoin the family after a 10-year stint with the outside world; Gillian Alexy (“The Americans,” “Damages”) as G'Winveer, a healer and a survivor, and Asa’s trusted confidante; Kyle Gallner (“American Sniper,” “Veronica Mars”) as Hasil, a young, intuitive soul who feels rejected by the group; Christina Jackson (“Boardwalk Empire,” “Deception”) as Sally-Ann, a beautiful girl from a mining town who is fascinated by the Farrells, and Hasil in particular; Francie Swift (“Hostages,” “House of Cards”) as Haylie, a clever and cunning all-American community relations manager representing the encroaching coal company; and Phyllis Somerville (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “The Big C”) as Lady Ray, the regal yet tough leader of the Farrell clan.

“Outsiders,” is created and written by award-winning playwright Peter Mattei, who executive produces alongside Fedora Entertainment's Emmy® Award-winner Peter Tolan ("Rescue Me," "Analyze This"), Emmy Award-winner Paul Giamatti ("John Adams," "Sideways"), Dan Carey ("All Is Bright") for Touchy Feely Films and Fedora’s Michael Wimer ("2012," "Rake").

Hailing from Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios, “Outsiders” will premiere at 9/8 Central on January 26, 2016 on WGN America.

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