Council of Dads promises to be a deeply personal family drama that is probably going to make us all pick up our phones and call our parents after every episode.
This new show is based on the 2010 memoir of the same name written by Bruce Feiler, a New York Times bestselling author, which has already inspired families around the world to make their very own council of dads – and moms.
Picked up to series in May 2019 after its initial pilot order in January, Council of Dads will join NBC’s lineup in March of 2020 and will inherit This Is Us’ Tuesday evening time slot after This Is Us concludes its fourth season on March 24th.
Who’s in charge?
Council of Dads was created and Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, the creators of Doubt, who also put their minds together to pen the pilot episode. They’ll serve as executive producers alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman (both from the CSI franchise). As well as KristieAnne Reid (Lucifer).
James Strong (Broadchurch) directed the pilot. While the production companies involved are Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Midwest Livestock Productions, and Universal Television.
What’s it about?
Scott Perry, the father of four beautiful children, finds his life turned upside down when he’s unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer.
Enveloped by the fear of how his children would grow up without him by their side, Scott and his wife Robin assemble a council of dads. A group of his closest friends to step in as father figures to his children when the time comes that he won’t be able to do it himself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3izUH25P-c
Who’s in Council of Dads?
There have already been quite a few cast announcements when it comes to who will be playing who on Council of Dads. Including that Tom Everett Scott (13 Reasons Why, I’m Sorry) will portray the main role of Scott Perry.
Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break, The Walking Dead) was also amongst the first to join the show back in February and will play Robin Perry, Scott’s wife, and mother and stepmother to their four children.
Amongst their children are 21-year-old Luly, Scott’s writer daughter that he had with his previous partner. Luly will be portrayed by Michele Weaver (Love Is___). 15-year old Theo played by Emjay Anthony (Krampus, Insurgent) who thinks the world is against him. 13-year-old Charlotte played by Thalia Tran (Little). And little 7-year-old JJ played by Blue Chapman (Undone).
Scott’s “dad council members” include his oldest friend Anthony Lavelle, played by Clive Standen (Vikings). As well as his AA sponsor Larry Malvern, played by Michael O’Neill (Rectify, Scandal). And Scott’s doctor and his wife’s best friend Oliver Post, who will be portrayed by J. August Richards.
And joining them as a recurring cast member is also Steven Silver who will play Evan, a young guy who has to take care of his sick mother.
Who should watch it?
NBC is already home to an incredibly gripping family drama This Is Us, which has had four wildly successful seasons thus far. And although Council of Dads seems to be quite reminiscent of the This Is Us storyline and characters, there’s always room for more drama on our primetime TV schedules, right?
The primetime pilot scrip review gives an insightful look into the first season, and we agree in saying that if you’re a fan of This Is Us, then Council of Dads is perfect as a mid-season replacement for the family drama hit. So make sure to check it our when it premieres on Tuesday, March 24, right after the This is Us season 4 finale!