We absolutely cannot wait until Vinyl premieres on M-Net Edge. To get into the mood, we even dusted off our old vinyls and indulged in some Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.
TV series, especially dramas, have reached previously unprecedented heights when it comes to writing, directing and acting. As one series tops another – and with new ones popping up all the time – it’s becoming difficult to decide what to cram into our series schedule.
If you’re wondering whether you should add Vinyl to your carefully refined list, we’re saying YES – and here are five reasons why:
The Look
Set in the ‘70s, the images of Vinyl are already promising a level of detail and authenticity that will transport you straight to the decade. The hair, the clothes, the accessories – all of these will ooze the glory days of “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll”.
The City
Like many TV shows, the action (or drama in this case) takes place in New York City. What sets it apart? It’s not a cop drama or political piece, which means Vinyl is set to show us a completely different side to the city.
The Actors
Another factor that sets Vinyl apart is its cast. While many series, particularly dramas, are attracting big movie names, Vinyl is casting familiar faces from TV – but in wholly different roles.
With actors on board such as Bobby Cannavale (Will & Grace, Ally McBeal, Boardwalk Empire), Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Olivia Wilde (House), Ato Essandoh (Elementary, Blue Bloods), and Max Casella (The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire), we're expecting great things from the cast.
Highly anticipated is also the duo of Hollywood babes proving their dramatic mettle. We’re not referring to good looks (although they have those too); we’re talking about the progeny of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, Jack Quaid; and Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, James Jagger; both of whom we’ll see in Vinyl.
The Clout
Speaking of (or rather, writing about) Mick Jagger, he serves as one of the executive producers on the show, and considering it’s about rock ‘n’ roll, it seems most apt. We can’t help wondering whether his own musical history made him something of an on-set consultant. Who better, right?
He’s not the only big name involved. The pilot was directed by none other than Martin Scorsese, and considering his passion for New York and music, he’s the perfect man for the job. Not only is NYC his hometown, he even directed the musical New York, New York, as well as the acclaimed Bob Dylan documentary, No Direction Home.
Penning the pilot is Terence Winter, who wrote the screenplay for The Wolf of Wall Street (directed by Scorsese). Winter is also the man behind Boardwalk Empire, so his TV cred is way beyond sufficient. Oh yes: and he also hails from NYC.
The Music
It’s rock ‘n’ roll baby! With a story revolving around fictitious record label American Century, music will undoubtedly play a prominent role in the show.
Inundated as we are with crime sagas and political thrillers, music dramas are bringing something fresh to the small screen. The likes of Glee, Nashville and Empire have already proven the subgenre’s popularity. Vinyl carves its own niche with its focus on rock ‘n’ roll and, along with all the other reasons we just provided, makes it unlike anything else you’re watching on TV right now.
Vinyl starts Express from the U.S. on M-Net Edge in February 2016 with a two-hour series premiere. Get more details on the cast here, and follow the conversation on social media using #EdgeVinyl.
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