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Razor-sharp suits, fast cars, and a fancy house in Los Angeles; just as male escort Julian Kaye thought he has it all, the world suddenly turns upside down. In 2014, Jerry Bruckheimer announced plans for a 2022 television adaptation of the neo-noir crime drama American Gigolo. Set to premiere on Showtime, the project is written by Neil Labute and executive produced by Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, and KristieAnne Reed.
The 2022 adaptation of American Gigolo is a present-day reimagining of the original film. Taking place 15 years after his wrongful arrest and conviction, Julian Kaye (Jon Bernthal) struggles to find his place in the modern-day Los Angeles sex industry. On top of that, Kaye navigates through his complicated relationships and attempts to reconnect with his ex-lover Michelle Stratton, his troubled mother, and the people who put a knife in his back and sent him to prison. Amid his personal identity crisis, Detective Sunday believes that a much larger criminal conspiracy is at play and plans to unearth the truth behind the murder that put Kaye in jail. Check out what’s in store for American Gigolo with this handy guide to the release date, trailer, plot, cast, and more.
How Many Episodes Does American Gigolo Have (And Where Can You Stream Them)?
Per its announcement on June 15, 2022, American Gigolo has been given a 10-episode series order. The series will be available for streaming on Showtime, with new episodes releasing on a weekly basis.
When Will American Gigolo Premiere?
American Gigolo is set to premiere on Showtime on September 9, 2022.
Watch the Official Trailer for American Gigolo
The first trailer for American Gigolo was released on May 31, 2022, which gave us our first look at most of the main characters. This was followed by a second trailer, released on July 14. You can watch the latest trailer here:
Who's in the Cast of American Gigolo?
American Gigolo stars Jon Bernthal as Julian Kaye, a high-paying male escort with impeccable taste in fashion and a penchant for the expensive things in life. After spending 15 years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, Kaye is finally out and searches for his place in the modern-day sex industry. Before this, Bernthal was in The Punisher and The Walking Dead. The show also features a young Julian Kaye, played by Gabriel LaBelle.
Joining Bernthal on the cast list is Gretchen Mol, appearing as Kaye’s ex-lover Michelle. Rosie O'Donnell plays Detective Sunday. Other members of the main cast include Lizzie Brocheré as Isabelle and Leland Orser as Richard Stratton. The series also features Wayne Brady as Lorenzo and Laura Liguori as Elizabeth Shannon House in recurring roles.
Where Can I Watch the 1980 American Gigolo Film?
Before watching the television remake, it wouldn’t hurt to catch the 1980 film version of American Gigolo. After all, it’s the very movie that established Richard Gere as a leading man. And let’s not forget its iconic musical score, which earned the project a Golden Globe Award nomination. You can watch the 1980 American Gigolo film on Hulu.
What Is American Gigolo About?
The American Gigolo television remake is largely based on the 1980 film version, which had Richard Gere playing Julian Kay, a Los Angeles callboy who lives an extravagant life as a high-paying prostitute. He's got it all: the Giorgio Armani suits, the sexy Mercedes, and a steady clientele of wealthy, older women looking for a good time. But none of this comes without risk. When Kay is wrongfully accused of a murder he did not commit, no one is willing to assist him in proving his innocence - except for the frustrated politician's wife and non-paying bedmate Michelle Stratton (Lauren Hutton).
The 1980 American Gigolo was directed by Paul Schrader, the filmmaker behind Blue Collar and Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters. Inspired by European art cinema, Schrader blends the steamier side of sex with the dangers of affluence in this crime drama flick. The neo-noir artistic direction is supported by Ferdinando Scarfiotti's detailed production design, turning the movie into the main staple of ‘80s decadence. With Gere as the leading man, American Gigolo is a slick portrayal of a pleasure-seeking, emotionally disengaged individual soaking in Los Angeles’ high life with little to no disregard for the consequences, only to find himself unintentionally entangled in one. With any luck, the series will hopefully be able to recapture that same mix of glam and grit.
More Jon Bernthal Shows That You Can Watch Now
The Walking Dead: When Sheriff's Deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) wakes up from a coma, the last thing he expects is a zombie apocalypse eating the world away. Set on finding his family, Grimes searches high and low while fending off flesh-eating undead people. Eventually, he finds himself forming a connection with a group of survivors and helps them get through these deadly times as they all try hard to stay alive.
Bernthal plays Shane Walsh in the hit zombie series The Walking Dead. Appearing during the show’s first two seasons, Walsh is originally Grimes’ best friend and fellow police partner. But as the series progresses, we watch Walsh fall into a dark descent, earning the title of one of the show’s main antagonists.
The Punisher: following the death of his family, Marine veteran turned vigilante Frank Castle / The Punisher (Bernthal) seeks revenge and punishes the ruthless criminals behind the murder of his loved ones. Going so far as to take lethal action, the Punisher will not stop at anything to attack the criminal underworld. The Punisher is not your ordinary Marvel “superhero”. He neither has a cape nor superhero abilities. He’s simply a father who’s lost everything and is tortured by the cruel, dark world of torment. Bernthal has been celebrated for his raw portrayal of the Punisher, exploring the character’s reason behind his pain and violence, and how his acts of violence offer a sick sense of satisfaction for him.
We Own This City: Bernthal plays Sgt. Wayne Jenkins in We Own This City, a show that follows the highs and lows of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force. Set in 2015, Baltimore is seeing a rise in riots across the city in response to the injustice towards Freddie Gray, a Black man who “mysteriously” died under police custody. The show highlights the corruption within the police force, the surging drug and violence-related crimes, and the city’s highest murder count in 20 years. Feeling the heat from the mayor’s office and a federal investigation of the department, Jenkins and his unit is entrusted with the mission to get these guns and drugs off the street. But what the department does not realize is that Jenkins has secret plans of his own.