CMT Plans Scripted Drama Based On ‘Million Dollar Quartet’

CMT and production company Thinkfactory Media are adapting the Tony Award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet into an eight-episode limited-run scripted drama premiering later this year. The series is timed to the historic 60th anniversary of the famed “Million Dollar Quartet” recording sessions featuring icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins at Sun Records in Memphis. Production is set to begin in Memphis this spring.

CMT and Thinkfactory Media (History Channel’s Hatfields & McCoys) have begun a nationwide casting search for actors to portray young Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, BB King, Ike Turner, Carl Perkins and supporting roles. Auditions will be held at the historic Humes Preparatory Academy Middle School, Presley’s alma mater, on February 13. The line for casting forms at 7 a m. and those auditioning are asked to arrive in 1950s hair and wardrobe. For more information on the casting call, visit www.mdqseries.com.

“Million Dollar Quartet will capture the star-crossed Memphis moments which led to the most explosive pop culture movement of the 20th Century, the birth of rock ‘n’ roll,” remarked Brian Philips, CMT president. “The characters are all larger-than-life, so casting is a daunting challenge, but we’re counting on the magic of Memphis to come alive again! This is among our most ambitious projects ever, and we entrust it to a proven epic filmmaker, Leslie Greif.”

“We are thrilled to be working with CMT as they enter the scripted drama arena,” said Leslie Greif, CEO & Founder of Thinkfactory Media. “At Thinkfactory Media, we pride ourselves in finding, developing and delivering products that fit the networks we work with, and Million Dollar Quartet is perfectly suited for CMT because of its deep ties to country music and Nashville. The entire Thinkfactory Media team and I are proud to be part of their expansion into rich new territory.”

Million Dollar Quartet marks one of two scripted series coming to CMT this year. This summer, CMT will premiere Still The King, an ensemble comedy starring Billy Ray Cyrus, Joey Lauren Adams, Madison Iseman, Lacey Chabert, Leslie David Baker, and Kevin Farley.