The classic story of the 1980s groundbreaking movie American Gigolo is getting a continuation after the popular television network Showtime ordered the project as a series.

Showtime called for the show's pilot in March 2020, as the development was in order at the premium cable since 2016.

The film's original producer Jerry Bruckheimer will return as the executive producer alongside Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed through Jerry Bruckheimer Television. 

American television writer David Hollander will serve as the writer, director, executive producer, and showrunner for the new adaption. And Paramount Television Studios will helm the series as a producer.  

The Premise of 'American Gigolo' 

Directed by Paul Schrader in 1980, the classic American Gigolo made a groundbreaking impact with its unique plot. The movie revolved around a high-class male prostitute, Julian Kaye, played by the famous Hachi: A Dog's Tale actor Richard Gere. 

The film unabashedly focuses on Kaye's flattering male narcissism as he pleases his clientele from all walks of life. He pretends to be a guide to rich, often older women and even falls in love with one of his clients, Michelle. 

But their love story hardly gets the focus since the story shifts from superficial pleasures to a dark crime. Kaye finds he is being framed for a murder of an ex-client.

In the light of the murder, the protagonist goes through a saddening run-in with the law. He tries to clear his name from the crime but gets no support from his pretend friends.

With no strong alibi, Kaye faces jail time for murder at the end of the movie.

Basic Plot and Cast of 'American Gigolo' Series

The new adaptation of the 'American Gigolo' series will see Kaye fifteen years after the initial arrest, trying to restart his career in Los Angeles.

He will seek the truth about the mastermind behind the set-up that cost him 15 years. And while investigating the truth, Kaye will also try to connect with his love interest, Michelle. 

The Walking Dead actor Jon Bernthal will portray Kaye in the new series as per Showtime's order. The company's co-president of entertainment, Gary Levine, praised the 44-year-old while talking to Variety in June 2021. 

“If you haven’t already fallen under the spell of Jon Bernthal, get ready,” said Levine. He elaborated on how Bernthal owns the screen with his searing, brooding, and vulnerable performance in the contemporary version of Kaye.

Aside from Bernthal, the famous comedian Rosie O’Donnell will grace the cast as homicide Detective Sunday.

Also, Lizzie Brocheré will play Isabelle, Gabriel LaBelle will portray the younger version of Kaye, Leland Orser will embody self-made millionaire Richard Stratton, and Wayne Brady will guest star as Lorenzo. 

As icing on the cake, Boardwalk Empire star Gretchen Mol will play the lead role of Michelle.