TV Interview!
Interview with Alexander Ludwig, Jessica Frances Dukes, Aaron Tveit, Todd Komarnicki and Kearie Peak of “Earth Abides” on MGM+ by Suzanne 11/20/24
This is a very exciting 6 part miniseries on MGM+. I hope you can watch it because it’s fascinating. Although it takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, it’s not too gross, gory or depressing. The acting is very good. Alexander Ludwig stars as “Ish,” a man who survives the pandemic that has destroyed most of the world’s population. Then he finds a wonderful woman, Emma (Jessica Frances Dukes), and they start their life together. Other people find them, and they start re-building the world. It’s got a very positive message about the future of the world, how people can adapt and get along, and about how the earth can heal. It was great to speak with the two stars, Ludwig and Dukes, as well as Aaron Tveit, who plays a pivotal character named Charlie, and the show’s creators and showrunners. The series is based on an old scifi book but modernized. I think they did a great job. NOTE: Tveit’s interview will be up a few later because there are spoilers in it.
Alexander Ludwig (Ish) and Jessica Frances Dukes (Emma)
Aaron Tveit
video will be here later
Showrunner/EP Todd Komarnicki and EP Kearie Peak
MORE INFO: Official Site Trailer
About ‘Earth Abides’
In “Earth Abides,” when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out. In the aftermath, as the great machine of civilization slowly and inexorably breaks down, only a few shattered survivors remain to struggle against the slide into extinction. The series is based on George R. Stewart’s classic sci-fi novel of the same name.
A Note from Todd Komarnicki (Executive Producer/Writer/Showrunner)
Earth Abides was ahead of its time. George Stewart’s novel, despite being written in 1949, has cohered brilliantly with our current moment. Long before nature began to suffer at the hands of man’s inability to live in harmony with her, Stewart knew that the Earth never needed us. We are more of a pestilence she has survived. As the world within the novel starts over, the earth has a chance to reassert herself. It is now man who must be the survivor. But what if those chosen to be humanity’s second chance aren’t suited for each other or the task at hand. They are a mixed blend of personalities, the kind that might have never joined forces prior to the apocalypse. But the life altering thing that they all discover…is that their differences might become the only thing enabling them to persevere. The story is a stark reminder that our differences should not separate us but unite us. A lesson we could all pay closer attention to in these times so riven by strife.
When adapting this novel for television, it was Stewart’s brilliant story that remains the infrastructure for keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. We shed new light through a deeper level of intimacy introduced in our show. While the intent of the original remains untouched, the tenderness and vulnerability of its characters and their journey over the years has been heightened in a fundamental way. Showing that journey of over twenty years together without losing the narrative thread and the audience’s connection to the characters was one of the biggest challenges we faced in the adaptation. Letting the series be guided by Ish’s own voice and the characters sharing their story not only kept the narrative intact but made them relatable and deeply human. That human aspect is what I hope audiences connect with most. The show lives in the shadow of a society torn down to cobblestone, but that is just the stage for a thrill ride that is utterly human. It is full of perseverance but also doubt, rage, addiction, murder and rebirth. No matter how dark the road gets for these characters, there is always a sliver of light calling them forward…love. What I hope audiences take away from our show is that love…really does win.
About MGM+
MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of exclusive original series and docuseries, current movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM, Emmy-winning Godfather of Harlem, the Western adventure Billy the Kid, suspense thriller Emperor of Ocean Park, crime drama Hotel Cocaine, and upcoming sci-fi drama Earth Abides and horror thriller The Institute, along with limited series A Spy Among Friends and cinematic dramatic series Rogue Heroes, Belgravia and War of the Worlds. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including the critically acclaimed In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, My Life as a Rolling Stone, and NFL Icons, as well as the anticipated docuseries Hollywood Black and The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History of Hollywood. Premium movies are also available, including Challengers, IF, Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning, The Beekeeper, The Boys in the Boat, American Fiction and Mean Girls.
MGM+ is available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, digital distribution channels and the MGM+ app. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to www.mgmplus.com or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
Alexander Ludwig
Alexander Ludwig is a multi-talented performer who continues to make his mark in Hollywood and beyond.
Ludwig can next be seen in the leading role of the upcoming MGM+ limited series Earth Abides, premiering December 1. Helmed by acclaimed creator and showrunner Todd Komarnicki and based on George R. Stewart’s best-selling novel, the 6-episode limited series story follows Ish (Ludwig) through the aftermath of a global plague as he tries to set the survivors on the road back to civilization.
Additionally, on television, Ludwig starred as Ace Spade in the Starz series Heels, which ran for two seasons and was recently licensed to Netflix after popular demand for a third season. The show, set in the world of independent wrestling, focuses on two rival brothers battling over their late father’s legacy. He is also recognized for his portrayal of Bjorn in the History Channel’s popular series Vikings.
On the big screen, Ludwig most recently reprised his role in the box office hit franchise Bad Boys 4: Ride Or Die alongside Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, and Vanessa Hudgens. Ludwig joined the franchise with Bad Boys for Life (2020), which stands as the most successful film in the franchise, breaking box office records. Ludwig will next appear in Killing Castro, directed by Eif Rivera, alongside Al Pacino, and will soon begin production on the horror thriller Night Comes, marking the feature directorial debut of veteran actor Jay Hernandez, set for release next year.
His additional film credits include Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant with Jake Gyllenhaal, National Champions featuring Uzo Aduba and J.K. Simmons, and the war epic Midway alongside Woody Harrelson and Dennis Quaid. He also starred in Peter Berg’s acclaimed Lone Survivor, blockbuster hit The Hunger Games with Jennifer Lawrence, and the hugely succesful Race to Witch Mountain opposite Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino.
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Ludwig began his acting career at nine, landing his first major role as Will Stanton in the action-adventure film The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising in 2007. His earlier credits include Grown Ups 2 and When The Game Stands Tall.
Following his passions outside of acting and filmmaking; he is a gifted musician who recently released his debut full-length Country album Highway 99 via Broken Bow Records. A mixture of amplified guitars, climactic choruses, and heartfelt hooks, the 16-track collection offers universal stories about small towns, wild nights, broken hearts, and big dreams. A follow up to his 2021 self-titled EP and career-launching 2020 single “Let Me Be Your Whiskey,” Highway 99 was produced by Nashville heavy-hitters Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy and proves Ludwig is making a permanent mark on Country music.
Jessica Frances Dukes
Jessica Frances Dukes is an accomplished actress set to star as the female lead in the upcoming MGM+ original limited series “Earth Abides,” alongside Alexander Ludwig. This imaginative adaptation of George R. Stewart’s classic sci-fi novel, created by showrunner Todd Komarnicki (Sully), explores a world ravaged by a deadly plague that nearly wipes out humanity. As civilization crumbles, a few survivors face the struggle for existence. In the series, Jessica plays Emma, a character who contrasts sharply with Ludwig’s character, Ish. The limited series, produced by Oscar winner Michael Phillips (The Sting) alongside Juliana Maio and Kearie Peak, is slated to premiere on December 1, 2024.
In addition to “Earth Abides,” Jessica is currently filming a recurring role in the third season of the Emmy-nominated series “The Gilded Age” on HBO.
Jessica is best known for her regular role as Special Agent Maya Miller in the multi-award-winning Netflix series “Ozark” (2020–2022). Her other notable credits include leading roles in HBO Max’s “Project Greenlight” (2023) and the award-winning film “Gray Matter” (2023).
A seasoned theater veteran, Jessica portrayed Millie Davis in the Tony Award-nominated “Trouble In Mind” on Broadway. She is an Obie Award winner for “Bootycandy” at Playwrights Horizons Off-Broadway and received an Audelco Award and a Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance nomination for her role as Vera in “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark” at the Signature Theatre.
Aaron Tveit
Aaron Kyle Tveit, born October 21, 1983) is an American actor and tenor singer. Tveit originated the lead role of Christian in the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge! on Broadway, a performance for which he won the 2020 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and received a 2020 Grammy Award nomination. His other work on the Broadway stage includes originating the roles of Gabe in Next to Normal and Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can, as well as performing the roles of Fiyero Tigelaar in Wicked, Link Larkin in Hairspray, and the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He also played John Wilkes Booth in an Off West End production of Assassins.
Tveit has also portrayed several musical theatre roles on screen, such as Enjolras in the film adaptation of Les Misérables (2012), as well as Danny Zuko in Fox’s Grease: Live (2016). Tveit is also known for his work in television, including the roles of Gareth Ritter on BrainDead, Tripp van der Bilt on Gossip Girl, Mike Warren on Graceland, and Danny Bailey/Topher in Schmigadoon!.
Todd Komarnicki
Todd Komarnicki is a prolific writer, producer, and director of film and television aswell as an acclaimed novelist. Komarnicki’s screenplays include SULLY directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, which opened at #1 in the box office to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film went on to earn over $240 million worldwide, and was a 2016 AFI Top Ten Film. Komarnicki has also written an adaptation of the international bestseller, THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN, starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn; and he wrote, produced, and directed, BONHOEFFER, the WW2 true story of legendary pastor turned assassin, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which is being released theatrically worldwide November 22nd.
In television, Komarnicki has written EARTH ABIDES, for MGM+, an adaptation of the international sci-fi favorite, by George Stewart, the series premieres December 1st. In the literary world, his first novel, Free, was published by Doubleday in 1993 and his second novel, famine (Arcade 1997), received tremendous reviews and was subsequently translated into French, Italian, and German. His third novel, war, was published to exceptional reviews in July of 2008 by Arcade.
Komarnicki is the president & founder of the production company Guy Walks Into A Bar. Komarnicki and Guy Walks partner Jon Berg produced the Christmas blockbuster ELF, starring Will Ferrell and directed by Jon Favreau. The film has become a worldwide perennial favorite every Christmas season. All told, Komarnicki’s films have accounted for well over half a billion dollars at the box office.
Komarnicki lives in New York City with his wife, Jane, their daughter, Remy, 14, and son, Dashiell, 11.
Kearie Peak
Kearie Peak is known for Flyboys (2006), Chaos Theory (2007) and American History X (1998).
-
Credits
Based on the novel by
George R. StewartExecutive Produced by
Todd Komarnicki, Kearie Peak, Michael Phillips, Juliana MaioDirected by
Bronwen Hughes (101, 102), Rachel Leiterman (103,104), Stephen Campanelli (105, 106)Written by
Todd Komarnicki
Showrunner
Todd KomarnickiCast
Alexander Ludwig as “Ish”
Jessica Frances Dukes as “Emma”
Aaron Tveit as “Charlie”
Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll as “Jorge”
Elyse Levesque as “Maurine”
Hilary McCormack as “Jean”
Luisa d’Oliveira as “Molly”
Birkett Turton as “Ezra”
Jenna Berman as “Evie”
Proofread and Edited by Brenda