Vikings’ Clive Standen is returning to NBC with another new series, this one with less action emphasis. Standen previously starred as the lead in the network’s Taken television show, now he is back for a tear-jerking drama that has Standen leaving his look as Vikings’ Rollo behind. Get your first peek at Council of Dads below:
The cast’s somber expressions will make more sense in a moment. NBC has ordered the new drama, Council of Dads, to series. It tells the story of Scott (played by Tom Everett Scott of 13 Reasons Why), a loving father of four, who is married to Robin, but their life plans are entirely upended when Scott is diagnosed with cancer.
The dad decides to call upon his closest friends and allies to support his young family, on the chance that he cannot be a living presence to guide them as they grow. Scott recruits three men (pictured above) to do this. Among them is his oldest friend, Anthony, who will be played by Vikings’ Clive Standen.
As Scott’s oldest friend, you can expect there to be a lot of history between the two men. Is Clive Standen’s Anthony being called upon to share stories from Scott’s past with his children? Maybe. Here is a closer look at Anthony, who is rocking a shorter, cropped beard than the one Vikings' Rollo wears.
Scott also recruits his surgeon, Dr. Oliver Post, who is the best friend of Scott’s wife, Robin. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s J. August Richards will play Oliver. Richards starred as Mike Peterson / Deathlok on the ABC Marvel series.
Rounding out the Council of Dads is Scott’s third recruit, his AA sponsor, Larry. Veteran actor Michael O’Neill will take on that role. O'Neill's television credits include the current CBS bubble series, S.W.A.T. and ABC’s Scandal.
As previously reported, Walking Dead vet Sarah Wayne Callies will play Scott’s wife, Robin. Michele Weaver of Love Is will star as Scott’s daughter, Luly. Weaver played the 19997 version of her character, Nuri, on the drama. Check out this first look at Callies and Weaver in this sweet picture from Council of Dads, below:
Executive producer extraordinaire Jerry Bruckheimer (the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise) will executive produce Council of Dads along with Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, who will also write the series. Rater and Phelan are no strangers to high stakes, medically-tinged drama. They both served as executive producers on Grey’s Anatomy. Also joining them as executive producers will be Lucifer executive producers, Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed.
Time will tell where their new drama lands on NBC’s schedule or when it will premiere. It could be fall, the midseason, and possibly summer. One would think that the network could be eyeing a night of back-to-back dramas by putting it on Tuesday night alongside This Is Us, which currently has The Voice as its lead-in.
The medical drama, New Amsterdam, has been enjoying its lead-in from This Is Us. But, could it be time for a new show to enjoy that benefit? Stay tuned. New Amsterdam is returning for a second season, and This Is Us is expected back for a fourth. If Council of Dads gets that This Is Us lead-in, it could mean that New Amsterdam will move to a new night.
A premiere date has not been set for Council of Dads on NBC yet, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest!
