MGM+ has unveiled the first look at American Classic. A new heartfelt comedy series led by Academy Award Winner Kevin Kline, Golden Globe and Emmy Winner Laura Linney, as well as Jon Tenney. The show premieres Sunday, March 1, 2026, with a two-episode debut. After, the series will have weekly releases through the season finale on April 12.
American Classic Details
Co-created by Michael Hoffman and Bob Martin, American Classic comes from Fifth Season, Mar Key Pictures, Likely Story, and Anonymous Content. The series centers on Broadway star Richard Bean, played by Kline, whose spectacular public meltdown sends him crawling back to his hometown and the family theater where his career first began.
That return is anything but peaceful.
Richard’s arrival detonates old grudges and buried secrets. He begins pulling in his ex-girlfriend, who happens to also be the town’s mayor, who is also married to his brother. He also pulls in his niece, who dreams of escaping small-town life for the stage. As past romances resurface and egos clash, Richard is forced to reckon with the wreckage he left behind in his pursuit of fame. Each season will revolve around a different Richard Bean production. Mirroring the personal drama inside the Bean family and underscoring the messy, redemptive power of making art.
Cast Details
Emmy and Golden Globe Winner Tony Shalhoub joins the series as Alvy, Richard’s longtime New York agent and possibly his only real friend. Tony Award Winner Aaron Tveit and Stephen Spinella also enter the mix. Spinella is playing Xander, a powerful theater critic who once championed Richard and now relentlessly tears him down. Tveit portrays Troy, Xander’s younger partner, who is intensely protective and not impressed by Richard’s reputation.
The supporting cast is stacked with stage and screen heavyweights. Including Len Cariou, Jane Alexander, Jessica Hecht, Nell Verlaque, Billy Carter, Elise Kibler, Ajay Friese, and Mark Linn Baker.
Executive producers include Hoffman, Martin, Ellen Fairey, Leslie Urdang, Anthony Bregman, Miriam Mintz, and the three leads themselves: Kline, Linney, and Tenney. Alongside Garrett Kemble, Kevin Cotter, Todd Sharp, Jill Arthur, and co-executive producer David Levine.
On paper, this is prestige TV comfort food, theater royalty, sharp character writing, and family dysfunction wrapped into one package. If the execution matches the cast, MGM+ could have a genuine breakout on its hands.
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