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HBO’s Showtime focuses on 1980s Los Angeles Lakers dynasty

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Earvin 'Magic' Johnson addresses the crowd as he pays tribute to Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers before Bryant plays his final NBA game at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Earvin 'Magic' Johnson addresses the crowd as he pays tribute to Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers before Bryant plays his final NBA game at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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All the new details for HBO’s Showtime, including actor Jason Clarke’s inclusion in the series about the Los Angeles Lakers’ 1980s dynasty.

HBO’s biggest ever show, Game of Thrones, has only recently ended. And that will be coming back, at least in prequel form. There’s also another major program with a pilot in the works, the basketball series Showtime.

At the heart of this new, true sporting story is the prolific 1980s Los Angeles Lakers dynasty. During that period Pat Riley was manager, with stars such as Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ruling supreme on the court.

While the focus will heavily be on the illustrious team, which won four NBA titles in seven trips to the finals in that time, their private lives will also be recreated onscreen. Presumably it will tackle tough, real life authentic situations such as Johnson being diagnosed with HIV in 1991. Not to mention the passing of former team owner Jerry Buss.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first cast member added to Showtime is Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty), who will play the legendary Jerry West.

Clarke is a welcome addition to any movie or television show if you ask me. I can still remember seeing him first of all playing ‘Three parts Mike’s’ brother in Brotherhood, which appeared to begin the James “Whitey” Bulger fascination in the media. Howard in Outlaw is my favourite role of Clarke’s in a movie.

Will Ferrell’s regular collaborator Adam McKay is executive producer and director of the new feature, as he seeks new ventures away from the comedic actor. McKay sounds as excited as anyone, divulging the themes of: “Sexism, racism, tragedy, redemption, no-look passes and a giant cultural shift in America,” according to THR.

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Expect more HBO originals in the coming years, as WarnerMedia has green lit a plethora of pilots for its upcoming streaming service named HBO Max. It is anticipated that Showtime will begin shooting this summer, per Deadline.

Please tell us in the comments section if you’re looking forward to this new drama. And look out for our reviews when it airs.

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