TCA/Is FX's 'Sons of Anarchy' The Next Big Thing?

UPDATE: Sept. 4/ also, see my larger feature story, written from the set of Sons of Anarchy, posted here.

Today, at TCA, the president and general manager of FX, John Landgraf, stepped up to the stage to introduce the channel’s newest drama, Sons of Anarchy.  Landgraf told the crowd that "literally the pilot sound work was finished on Sunday night."

The just completed pilot was broadcast on closed circuit into our rooms here at the Beverly Hilton late last night (Monday) and early this morning.  Those of us who were able to keep our eyes pried open long enough to watch were very lucky indeed.

We’re about midway through the TCA tour at this point.  Sons of Anarchy is the one new series, so far, that has me anxiously awaiting more, more, more.  The outlaw biker drama is set to debut on Wednesday, September 3.

There are plenty of legal and police dramas on television and FX does both (Damages and The Shield respectively) very, very well.  In terms of its dark, gritty tone, Sons of Anarchy syncs nicely with the FX line-up and it could be called The Shield on a Harley.  (Sons of Anarchy executive producer/creator Kurt Sutter started as a staff writer on The Shield, rising to executive producer for the last two seasons.)

I’m hesitant to apply the overused term "ground-breaking," but it’s true.  According to Landgraf, motorcycle clubs "have been portrayed in film many times, but [have]
never been the central source or location for a scripted series in television."

This show will take you on a fast ride into an original television universe - to the town of Charming, California and deep into the culture of an outlaw biker brotherhood.

Within this unique framework, Sons of Anarchy is also a classic generational family drama, and perhaps a Shakespearean one at that.  

The cast is exceptional.  Charlie Hunnam (’Jax’ Teller) was much sought after when Sutter spotted him in the film Green Street Hooligans.  Ron Perlman (Hellboy II) plays Jax step-father, Clay Morrow.

But Katey Sagal as Gemma Teller - the tough, protective, and ruthless matriarch of the club and the family - rolls across this series like a Santa Ana.

During the panel, Sagal described Gemma as "a ferocious mother.  She will do anything for her son and for her family - her family being this motorcycle world…she’d go to any lengths.  ….she’s a little bit of a rock chick. She’s a hard ass….with a heart of gold."

Sometimes watching this often abusive character, it’s difficult to understand why I was riveted to the screen.  But, she’s fascinating to watch, in the way that audiences found Tony Soprano fascinating.  

While the conventional wisdom probably holds that this series will appeal primarily to men, I believe women may tune in as well.

Kurt Sutter told me after the panel that he "loves writing female characters."  He’s populated this series with some interesting actresses: Jax’s crank-addicted ex-wife, Wendy (Drea De Matteo of The Sopranos); and Jax’s high school sweetheart, Tara (Maggie Siff from Mad Men). 

Sutter disclosed that he’ll be introducing yet another female cast member in the fourth episode.  

"[The series] is a great balance of testosterone and estrogen," Sutter said.

I asked Sutter to expand a bit on Gemma’s rough appeal.  "She’s the backbone of the club.  She’s that maternal power that drives the club," explained Sutter, "All her toughness, all her grit and energy, really stems from that deep, dark, maternal ‘I’ll f*cking kill you if you come near my cubs’ place.  No matter what she does, ultimately it comes from that place.  That’s what makes her a strong character.  That’s what makes her likeable."

During the panel, Landgraf said that Sutter, along with John Linson and Art Linson,
approached FX with the idea.  "The Linsons," said Landgraf, "had been working for quite a while on this as a potential feature film, and had done a lot of research, and had a lot of relationships in the area before they hooked up with Kurt."

Other than that, details about the "research" and "relationships" Landgraf mentioned were sparse.

John Linson (also producer, Lords of Dogtown) wore sunglasses for the duration of the panel, and glittery earrings.  His hair was cropped and his forearms were tattooed.  After the panel, he tolerated my questions.  But he was guarded, and would provide not even a whiff of a hint as to the identity of the club that serves as the inspiration for Sons of Anarchy. 

Nevertheless, Linson did say the series is "as real as it gets." 

Here’s an early promo vid, from awhile back…