National Geographic Announces Ensemble Cast Joining Julianna Margulies for "The Hot Zone"

National Geographic Announces Ensemble Cast Joining Julianna Margulies for "The Hot Zone"
Noah Emmerich, Liam Cunningham, Topher Grace, Paul James, Nick Searcy, Robert Wisdom and Robert Sean Leonard will all star in the six-episode global mini-series.

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[via press release from National Geographic Channel] NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ANNOUNCES ENSEMBLE CAST JOINING JULIANNA MARGULIES FOR "THE HOT ZONE"

Noah Emmerich as Lt. Col. Jerry Jaax
Liam Cunningham as Wade Carter
Topher Grace as Peter Jahrling
James D'Arcy as Trevor Rhodes
Paul James as Ben Gellis
Nick Searcy as Frank Mays
Robert Wisdom as Col. Vernon Tucker
Robert Sean Leonard as Walter Humboldt
From Lynda Obst Productions, Scott Free Productions, Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson, Jeff Vintar and Fox 21 Television Studios, Six-Episode Limited Series Is Based on Richard Preston's International Best-Seller

Production Begins This Week in Toronto
(WASHINGTON, DC - SEPT. 13, 2018) National Geographic, Fox 21 Television Studios and Scott Free Productions today announced the cast joining previously announced Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife," "ER") in THE HOT ZONE, based on the eponymous international best-seller by Richard Preston. Noah Emmerich ("The Americans"), Liam Cunningham ("Game of Thrones"), Topher Grace ("Blackkklansman"), Paul James ("The Path"), Nick Searcy ("The Shape of Water"), Robert Wisdom ("The Wire") and Robert Sean Leonard ("House") will all star in the six-episode global miniseries inspired by the terrifying true story of the origins of the Ebola virus and its first arrival on U.S. soil in 1989. James D'Arcy ("Homeland") joins the cast as a series guest star. Production begins today in Toronto and will also shoot in South Africa in early December. THE HOT ZONE will premiere globally on National Geographic in 2019.

Emmerich joins as Lt. Col. Jerry Jaax, husband of Nancy Jaax (Margulies), who doesn't hesitate to risk his life during the operation to contain the Ebola virus. Cunningham is set to portray Wade Carter, Dr. Nancy Jaax's vital ally in the race to prevent the virus from spreading. Topher Grace is Dr. Peter Jahrling, virologist for the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, who butts heads with Dr. Jaax over the best way to contain the virus. James D'Arcy is Center for Disease Control official Trevor Rhodes, Carter's former assistant and current nemesis. Paul James will play Ben Gellis, a lab tech at the pathology lab in Reston, Virginia, assisting Dr. Jaax and Dr. Jahrling. Nick Searcy is Frank Mays, the exhausted colony manager at the Reston Monkey Facility where the virus originated. Robert Wisdom joins as Col. Vernon Tucker of USAMRIID, Dr. Jaax's superior. And Robert Sean Leonard will portray company man Walter Humboldt, the liaison between Hazleton, a scientific research corporation, and its primate lab in Reston.

Michael Uppendahl ("Castle Rock," "Fargo") and Nick Murphy ("Save Me," "The Secret") will serve as directors. Kelly Soulders ("Genius," "Salem") and Brian Peterson ("Genius," "Salem") are showrunners and executive producers.

THE HOT ZONE tells the story of the origins of Ebola, a highly infectious and deadly virus from the central African rain forest, and its arrival on U.S. soil in 1989. When this killer suddenly appeared in monkeys in a scientific research lab in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., there was no known cure. A heroic U.S. Army scientist working with a secret military specialized team put her life on the line to head off the outbreak before it spread to the human population. THE HOT ZONE is a dramatic, high-stakes scientific thriller with a courageous, brilliant and determined heroine at its center.

THE HOT ZONE is executive produced by Lynda Obst Production's Lynda Obst and Scott Free Production's Ridley Scott and David Zucker. Michael Uppendahl is also an executive producer. For National Geographic, Carolyn G. Bernstein is executive vice president and head of global scripted development and production. The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios, Lynda Obst Productions, Scott Free Productions, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson and Jeff Vintar.
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About National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic's media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children's media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 130 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers ... and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About Fox 21 Television Studios
Fox 21 Television Studios is a production unit housed within Fox Television Group devoted to making creatively ambitious scripted and unscripted series for all distribution platforms. Fox 21 Television Studios is responsible for the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning sensation from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" (with FX Productions) as well as its follow-up "The Assassination of Gianni Versace"; the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning "Homeland," starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin; the critically acclaimed "The Americans" (with FX Productions), starring Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell; the blockbuster "Sons of Anarchy" as well as its follow-up "Mayans M.C." from co-creators Kurt Sutter and Elgin James; "Queen of the South," executive produced by David T. Friendly; "Pose" from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall and Sherry Marsh, with Steven Canals as co-executive producer, and Janet Mock, Our Lady J and Erica Kay as producers; and the Emmy-nominated Genius: Einstein, its follow-up Genius: Picasso and the upcoming installment Genius: Mary Shelley. Additional upcoming projects include The Hot Zone based on Richard Preston's international best-seller, and the untitled "'Fosse/Verdon" limited series from Thomas Kail, Steven Levenson and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Fox 21 Television Studios shows have amassed a collective 478 Emmy nominations and 108 Emmy wins, as well as multiple Golden Globes, Humanitas Prizes and Peabody Awards. 

Golden Globe and Emmy(R) Award Winner Julianna Margulies Tapped for National Geographic Scripted Series "The Hot Zone"

Golden Globe and Emmy(R) Award Winner Julianna Margulies Tapped for National Geographic Scripted Series "The Hot Zone"
The new series will be produced by Lynda Obst Productions, Scott Free Productions, Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson, Jeff Vintar and Fox 21 Television Studios.

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[via press release from National Geographic Channel] Golden Globe and Emmy(R) Award Winner Julianna Margulies ('The Good Wife,' 'ER') Tapped for National Geographic Scripted Series THE HOT ZONE

From Lynda Obst Productions, Scott Free Productions, Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson, Jeff Vintar and Fox 21 Television Studios

Production to Begin This Fall
WASHINGTON & LOS ANGELES -- National Geographic today announced that Golden Globe and Emmy award winner Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife," "ER") is set to headline scripted miniseries THE HOT ZONE. The new series will be produced by Lynda Obst Productions, Scott Free Productions, Kelly Souders & Brian Peterson, Jeff Vintar and Fox 21 Television Studios. Production will begin this fall in Toronto and South Africa.

THE HOT ZONE, based on the eponymous international best-seller by Richard Preston, recounts the terrifying true story of the origins of the Ebola virus, a highly infectious deadly virus from the central African rain forest, and its first arrival on U.S. soil. In 1989, when this killer suddenly appeared in chimpanzees in a scientific research lab in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., there was no known cure. A heroic U.S. Army scientist working with a secret military SWAT team put her life on the line to head off the outbreak before it spread to the human population. THE HOT ZONE is a dramatic, high-stakes scientific thriller with a courageous, brilliant and determined heroine at its center.
"Julianna is dream casting for the role of Dr. Nancy Jaax," said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president, global scripted development and production, National Geographic. "Her rare combination of warmth, strength, humor and intelligence are the perfect recipe to make this terrifying true story feel relatable, grounded and human. THE HOT ZONE is the perfect example of National Geographic's commitment to premium, brand-relevant storytelling that is at once wildly entertaining and deepens people's understanding of the world."

"We're excited to once again partner with National Geographic, along with Scott Free and Lynda Obst, to tell this riveting true story," added Andy Bourne, senior vice president, development, Fox 21 Television Studios. "With the combined prodigious talents of our producing team, showrunners and the virtuoso Julianna Margulies, this series will inspire and terrify viewers in equal measure."
"After working on THE HOT ZONE for over 20 years, I'm thrilled to finally be able to bring the true story of the origins of Ebola to the screen through our partnership with National Geographic, Scott Free and Fox 21. With the threat of global pandemics more relevant and urgent than ever, now is the perfect time to tell this compelling story," said Lynda Obst, executive producer.
Margulies is repped by WME.

THE HOT ZONE represents an ambitious step forward in the network's scripted programming strategy to satisfy its audience's growing demand for programs that take storytelling further. This project follows National Geographic's Emmy-nominated series GENIUS, recently showcasing the tumultuous life and artistic brilliance of artist Pablo Picasso. Later this fall, another Imagine Television project, MARS, will return for its second genre-busting season, blending cinema-quality scripted drama set in the future with documentary sequences that feature the most pioneering names in space technology today. And finally, in early 2019, National Geographic will look back at the early days of technological innovation with VALLEY OF THE BOOM.

About National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic's media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children's media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 130 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers ... and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

National Geographic Orders "The Hot Zone" to Series With Production to Start Later This Year

National Geographic Orders "The Hot Zone" to Series With Production to Start Later This Year
Based on the eponymous international best-seller by Richard Preston, the series recounts the terrifying true story of the origins of the Ebola virus, a highly infectious deadly virus from the central African rain forest, and its first arrival on U.S. soil.

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[via press release from National Geographic Channel] NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORDERS "THE HOT ZONE" TO SERIES WITH PRODUCTION TO START LATER THIS YEAR
From Lynda Obst Productions, Fox 21 Television Studios, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Jeff Vintar and Scott Free Productions

NEW SCRIPTED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:
TEN BORDERS
From Paramount Television and Scott Free Productions; Oscar-Winning Director Tom McCarthy ("Spotlight," "13 Reasons Why") to Executive Produce; Greg Walker ("Without a Trace") to Write and Executive Produce

THE WHITE HOUSE DETAIL
From Writer and Executive Producer Chuck Hogan ("13 Hours," "The Strain"); Executive Producers Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form Through Platinum Dunes ("A Quiet Place," "Black Sails"); and Executive Producer Elyse Klaits

HIDDEN FIGURES
From Oscar-Nominated Producers of the Feature Film, Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping ("The Greatest Showman," "War for the Planet of the Apes); and Grammy Winner Pharrell Williams
(WASHINGTON, D.C. / NEW YORK - APRIL 18, 2018) - On the heels of the success of its first original scripted series, GENIUS, which garnered 10 Emmy nominations, a Screen Actors Guild nomination and a Golden Globe nomination, National Geographic today announced a series greenlight as well as three new projects in development.

From the deadly Ebola virus to unsung pioneers of the internet, from behind the scenes at the Kennedy White House to ground zero of the Syrian refugee crisis, these diverse projects represent an ambitious step forward in the network's scripted programming strategy and seek to satisfy its audience's growing demand for programs that take storytelling further.

"The incredible audience response to our scripted programming, including award nominations for GENIUS and the overwhelming critical praise - and Critics Choice Award nomination - for THE LONG ROAD HOME have emboldened our scripted strategy," says Courteney Monroe, CEO of National Geographic Global Networks. "We've proved we can make noise in a crowded marketplace by utilizing the premium power of the National Geographic brand and working with the right talent."
"The projects we're announcing today are proof of how far we've come in such a short time," says Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president, global scripted development and production. "Though the subjects and narratives we're announcing are diverse, they all share our organic brand DNA, bringing our audience fact-based, globally relevant stories that are enthralling, engaging and, above all else, entertaining.

Series Pick-Up
THE HOT ZONE (From Lynda Obst Productions, Fox 21 Television Studios, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Jeff Vintar and Scott Free Productions)

From executive producer Ridley Scott, The Hot Zone, based on the eponymous international best-seller by Richard Preston, recounts the terrifying true story of the origins of the Ebola virus, a highly infectious deadly virus from the central African rain forest, and its first arrival on U.S. soil. In 1989, when this killer suddenly appeared in chimpanzees in a scientific lab in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., there was no known cure. A heroic U.S. Army veterinarian working with a secret military SWAT team put herself in mortal peril when she tried to head off the outbreak before it spread to the human population. The Hot Zone is a dramatic, hair-raising account of a rare and lethal virus and its impact on the human race.

New Scripted Development Slate:
*All working titles
HIDDEN FIGURES (From Chernin Entertainment and Pharrell Williams)
Inspired by the Oscar-nominated hit movie, the anthology series HIDDEN FIGURES will tell the stories of people whose contributions to science, technology and innovation have been overlooked by history. In the same way the feature film centered on a group of women who were the unsung heroes of the space program, each season of the anthology series will shine a light on someone whose important contributions have been unjustly marginalized.

THE WHITE HOUSE DETAIL (From Platinum Dunes, Chuck Hogan, Elyse Klaits and Consultants/Co-Authors Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin)

THE WHITE HOUSE DETAIL is an unprecedented insider's look at the personal and professional lives of the U.S. Secret Service agents assigned to protect the president and the first family beginning with the 1960 election of John F. Kennedy. Based on the firsthand account of the Secret Service's most iconic agent, Clint Hill, who served under five U.S. presidents and who is best known for leaping onto the back of JFK's limousine during the assassination in Dallas, THE WHITE HOUSE DETAIL is an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at the days and nights of the unsung heroes trusted with protecting the most powerful man in the world. The project is based on Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin's New York Times best-seller, Five Presidents.

TEN BORDERS (From Paramount Television, Scott Free Productions, Tom McCarthy and Greg Walker)

TEN BORDERS is a six-part limited series centered on five unrelated individuals who are inexorably pulled into one another's lives through the mass exodus of humanity from wartorn Syria to the safe refuge of Sweden. Through multiple points of view we will embark on an emotional journey with everyday characters who become part of the greatest human migration in the past thousand years. They are not partisans, revolutionaries, soldiers or spies; they are ordinary people thrust into urgent and extraordinary circumstances whose paths cross in surprising and unexpected ways as they make the perilous trek to freedom, their lives overturned and changed forever.

Additionally, next week the second season of National Geographic's Emmy-nominated series GENIUS returns to showcase the tumultuous life and artistic brilliance of artist Pablo Picasso. Starring Antonio Banderas in the titular role, the new season is again produced by Fox 21 Television Studios with returning executive producers Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Francie Calfo of Imagine Television as well as executive producer and showrunner Ken Biller. Over 10 episodes, GENIUS: PICASSO explores the complicated man and ferocious artist behind the masterpieces.

This fall, another Imagine Television project, MARS, will return for its second genre-busting season. Tracing the thrilling quest to make Mars home, the series, which earned a nomination for Outstanding Limited Series from the International Documentary Association, blends cinema-quality scripted drama set in the future with documentary sequences that feature the most pioneering names in space technology today.

And finally, after taking audiences into the future, National Geographic will look back at the early days of technological innovation with VALLEY OF THE BOOM. Produced by STXtv and with executive producers Matthew Carnahan and Ariana Huffington, the six-part limited series takes an adrenaline-fueled ride through the culture of speculation, innovation and debauchery that led to the rapid inflation and burst of the 1990s tech bubble. The series stars Bradley Whitford, Steve Zahn and Lamorne Morris.
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About National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic's media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children's media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 130 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers ... and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information, visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram, YouTube , LinkedIn and Pinterest.