Jon Hamm is at the center of a tense hostage crisis in the first trailer for MGM+’s upcoming psychological thriller “American Hostage,” which dramatizes a real-life 1977 incident in Indianapolis. Hamm stars as Fred Heckman, a local radio reporter whose ordinary workday turns dangerous after hostage-taker Tony Kiritsis, played by Giovanni Ribisi, demands to speak through Heckman’s radio program.
The eight-episode series follows the 63-hour standoff after Kiritsis takes mortgage executive Dick Hall, portrayed by Kristoffer Polaha, hostage and uses a shotgun rigged to fire if Hall moves. As the crisis unfolds, Heckman becomes an unexpected intermediary between Kiritsis, authorities and the public, while his growing involvement puts pressure on his professional responsibilities and personal life.
The series expands on the story told in the scripted “American Hostage” podcast, on which Hamm previously portrayed Heckman. The television adaptation was created by Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers, with Adam Arkin and Nina Lopez-Corrado directing. Mireille Enos plays Barbara Heckman, while William Jackson Harper, Jonathan Tucker and Kat Cunning also appear.
“American Hostage” premieres with two episodes on MGM+ on Sept. 20; see the trailer: HERE.
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