“HIDDEN PALMS”
Day and Time TBA on The CW
Johnny Miller (Taylor Handley, “The O.C”) was a happy, well-adjusted high
school student with good grades and a room full of sports trophies until the terrible night
a year ago that his father committed suicide. Unable to cope, he tried to drown his pain
in alcohol and drugs. Now, fresh out of rehab, Johnny is struggling to deal with an
uncertain future in the surreal glare of Palm Springs, where his mother, Karen (Gail
O'Grady, “NYPD Blue”), and her new husband, Bob (D.W. Moffett, “For Your Love”),
have decided to make a new start.
The lush oasis of Palm Springs, with its golf courses, country clubs and beautiful
people, is an unsettling new environment for Johnny. He quickly discovers that this
paradise isn’t quite what it seems when he meets his next-door neighbors: Cliff (Michael
Cassidy, “The O.C.”), a handsome high school junior whose considerable charm can’t
quite hide his disturbing dark side; and Cliff's mother, Tess (Sharon Lawrence, “NYPD
Blue”), a former Southern beauty queen with a taste for younger men. Johnny learns that
his new neighborhood is consumed by a tragedy when Cliff reveals that his best friend,
Eddie, who lived in Johnny’s house, recently died under mysterious circumstances.
Eddie’s death seems to haunt everyone Johnny meets, especially Greta (Amber
Heard, “Alpha Dog,” “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane”), a stunning young beauty who
fascinates Johnny from the moment he lays eyes on her. Intriguing and secretive, Greta
has been on her own since the death of her mother many years before. With her father
always away on business, Greta has become a self-sufficient loner. She quickly realizes,
however, that Johnny is a kindred soul; someone forced by tough circumstances to grow
up too soon. Even though Greta is drawn to Johnny, she refuses to talk about Eddie's
death. In his search for answers to the deepening mystery, Johnny turns to another
neighbor, Liza (Ellary Porterfield, “The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio”), a gifted but
awkward high school student who conducts explosive science experiments in her garage,
yet still manages to keep a close eye on everything that happens in the neighborhood.
Liza and Johnny soon bond in their pursuit of the truth.
While Johnny adjusts to his new circle of friends, he is surprised by the arrival of
Nikki (Tessa Thompson, “Veronica Mars”), a troubled L.A. party girl he met in rehab,
whose family has written her off as a lost cause. Nikki is also fighting to stay sober, so
Johnny introduces her to his colorful AA sponsor, Jesse Jo (Leslie Jordan, “Will &
Grace”), who just happens to be a drag queen. Jesse Jo cares deeply about Johnny’s
recovery, and he immediately takes Nikki under his wing as well.
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“Hidden Palms” ─ Page 2
It often seems to Johnny that the flamboyant Jesse Jo is the only voice of reason
in the strange and artificial atmosphere of Palm Springs. As he searches for answers to
the questions surrounding Eddie’s death and tries to fit into his new hometown, Johnny is
learning that growing up may be the biggest mystery of all.
“Hidden Palms” is a Lionsgate Television production in association with
Outerbanks Entertainment with executive producers Kevin Williamson (“Dawson's
Creek,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Scream 1, 2 and 3”) and Scott Winant
(“Huff,” “My So-Called Life”).
January 2007
CREDITS FOR “HIDDEN PALMS” ON THE CW
Day and time:
Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)
Network debut:
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Format:
“Hidden Palms” is a one-hour drama focusing on
Johnny Miller (Taylor Handley), who is struggling
to come to terms with two tragedies in the strange
and artificial atmosphere of Palm Springs. As he
searches for answers and tries to fit in, Johnny is
learning that growing up may be the biggest
mystery of all.
Cast:
Michael Cassidy as Cliff Wiatt
Taylor Handley as Johnny Miller
Amber Heard as Greta Matthews
Sharon Lawrence as Tess Wiatt
D.W. Moffett as Bob Hardy
Gail O’Grady as Karen Hardy
Ellary Porterfield as Liza Witter
Tessa Thompson as Nikki Barnes
Executive producers:
Kevin Williamson, Scott Winant
Origination:
Palm Springs, California
and Avondale, Arizona
Produced by:
Lionsgate Television in association with
Outerbanks Entertainment
January 2007
MICHAEL CASSIDY
Cliff Wiatt in “Hidden Palms”
Familiar to television audiences from his role on “The O.C.,” Michael Cassidy
stars as Cliff Wiatt, a smooth-talking charmer with a dark side, in The CW’s new drama
“Hidden Palms.”
Cassidy grew up in Portland, Oregon, before moving to New York to study for
two years at the New Actors’ Workshop. In 2004, Cassidy went to Los Angeles to
audition for “Superman Returns.” He didn’t get the part, but impressed McG, then the
film’s director and an executive producer of “The O.C.,” who cast him in the series as
Zach Stevens, Summer’s (Rachel Bilson) perfect boyfriend.
Cassidy’s first big-screen break was the feature film “Zoom,” starring Tim Allen
and Courteney Cox. Cassidy played Dylan West, a.k.a. Houdini. Other credits include
the feature “The Girl From Monday,” directed by Hal Hartley.
Cassidy currently resides in Los Angeles and enjoys playing golf in his down
time.
January 2007
TAYLOR HANDLEY
Johnny Miller in “Hidden Palms”
Best known to television audiences as bad boy Oliver on “The O.C.,” Taylor
Handley stars as Johnny Miller, a bright-yet-haunted teenager in The CW’s “Hidden
Palms.” Fresh out of rehab and still coping with his father’s suicide, Johnny attempts to
reclaim his life after moving to Palm Springs with his mother (Gail O’Grady) and new
stepfather (D.W. Moffett).
A veteran of the summer stock program in his native Santa Barbara, California,
Handley began acting at age 8. He most recently wrapped work on the feature films “The
Standard” and “September Dawn,” a film based on a Mormon family caught up in the
infamous Mountain Meadows massacre. He also starred in the prequel to “Texas
Chainsaw Massacre,” as well as in the romantic comedy “Zerophilia,” in which he played
a young man with a rare genetic condition which causes people to change gender at will
and occasionally against their will.
His additional film credits include his feature debut opposite Michael Keaton in
“Jack Frost” and the lead in the original telefilm “Phantom of the Megaplex.”
Handley recently received rave reviews starring opposite Academy Award-winner
Marcia Gay Harden as her emotionally traumatized nephew in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s
telefilm “In From the Night.” His additional television roles include guest appearances
on “CSI,” “Blind Justice,” “Cold Case,” “NYPD Blue,” “Becker,” “Dawson’s Creek” and
“Frasier.” Handley also starred as Kieran Culkin’s happily oblivious best friend on the
sitcom “Go Fish.”
Handley, whose father founded the popular sportswear company Pornstar, has
older twin brothers with whom he shares a passion for extreme sports, including surfing,
snowboarding and skateboarding. He is also the lead singer and guitarist for the rock
band Nobody’s Looking. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
January 2007
AMBER HEARD
Greta Matthews in “Hidden Palms”
Already turning heads on the big screen, Amber Heard marks her series regular
debut in The CW’s new drama “Hidden Palms” as Greta Matthews, a beautiful young
woman hiding a painful secret.
Heard appears alongside Bruce Willis and Justin Timberlake in the long-awaited
and controversial film “Alpha Dog,” directed by Nick Cassavetes. The film is the true
story of a young drug dealer who adds murder to his resume. Heard can also be seen in
her first starring role in the horror film “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane,” in which she
plays a lusted-after new girl whose life is threatened when a spurned admirer starts to
eliminate his competition. The film is set to hit theaters this February.
Heard was last seen in the Academy Award-nominated film “North Country,”
starring Charlize Theron. The film follows the story of a female coal miner (Theron)
who files, and ultimately wins, the first major sexual harassment suit of our time. Heard
played Theron’s character in the flashbacks, which were pivotal to the story.
Other big-screen credits include the independent horror film “sideFX” and the
adaptation of H.G. Bissinger’s book “Friday Night Lights.” Her small-screen credits
include guest appearances on “The O.C.,” “The Mountain” and “Jack & Bobby.”
Originally from Austin, Texas, Heard currently resides in Los Angeles.
January 2007
SHARON LAWRENCE
Tess Wiatt in "Hidden Palms"
Emmy Award-nominated actress Sharon Lawrence returns to television in The
CW's new drama “Hidden Palms.” Lawrence plays Tess Wiatt, a Southern beauty with a
taste for younger men.
Lawrence is best known for her role as Sylvia Costas on the hit television series
“NYPD Blue,” for which she earned several Emmy nominations. She was last seen with
Tim Matheson in the television movie “Augusta, Gone,” based on the New York Times
best-selling book by Martha Tod Dudman. Her other small screen credits include
“Desperate Housewives,” “Boston Legal,” “Law & Order,” “Judging Amy,” “Caroline in
the City,” “Ladies Man” and her own comedy series “Fired Up.”
Up next for Lawrence on the big screen is the independent project “The Alibi,”
opening later this year. The story follows a man who runs an alibi service for cheating
husbands and must confront the inevitable problems of his trade when he takes on a
troublesome client. Her other feature film credits include “Little Black Book” and “The
Only Thrill.”
Lawrence began her career on stage, where she has gained critical acclaim for the
many roles she has portrayed. She recently finished a run as Reno Sweeney, the
nightclub singer that Ethel Merman made famous in “Anything Goes,” for director Roger
Rees and his Williamstown Theatre Festival. Lawrence received rave reviews for her star
turn in the 1930s comedy of manners “No Time For Comedy” and at the Geffen
Playhouse in the acclaimed revival of Lerner and Lowe’s "Paint Your Wagon," her
second appearance at the Geffen after her ferocious performance in the British play
“Under the Blue Sky.” Her other credits include the 9/11 drama “The Guys,” the 1970s
feminist hit “I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road” and “Company.”
Lawrence is on the board of the Women In Film Foundation and is active in
supporting the Earth Communications Office, The Creative Coalition and the
Alzheimer’s Association. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
January 2007
D.W. MOFFETT
Bob Hardy in “Hidden Palms”
D.W. Moffett has amassed an impressive list of stage and screen credits. He
returns to television in The CW’s new drama “Hidden Palms” as Bob Hardy, Karen’s
(Gail O’Grady) new husband, who realizes his marriage is already in trouble.
A native of the Chicago suburb of Wilmette, Illinois, Moffett never gave a
thought to acting until after he graduated from Stanford University with a degree in
International Relations. While he went to work at Chicago’s Continental Bank, he also
enrolled in an acting class to broaden his artistic horizon and, more importantly, to meet
girls. He found a social life ─ and his life’s work.
Moving along his new career path, Moffett became a founding member of
Chicago’s Remains Theatre Ensemble, where he starred in, directed and/or produced over
40 productions. He first came to national attention starring in Larry Kramer’s landmark
AIDS drama “The Normal Heart” at New York’s Public Theatre. Subsequently, he
appeared on Broadway in “The Boys of Winter” and “The Real Thing,” as well as a Los
Angeles production of Jon Robin Baitz’s “The End of the Day.” Most recently, he
appeared with Kevin Spacey in the critically acclaimed production of “The Philadelphia
Story” at The Old Vic Theatre in London.
Since making the move to Hollywood, he has appeared in the feature films
“Thirteen,” starring Evan Rachel Wood; “Twisted,” starring Ashley Judd and Samuel L.
Jackson, and Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic.” He also starred as a reprehensible
entertainment lawyer in Bernardo Bertolucci’s “Stealing Beauty,” and as a post-World
War II industrialist in “Rough Magic,” with Bridget Fonda. His additional credits
include “Falling Down,” starring Michael Douglas; “Black Widow,” starring Debra
Winger; “Molly,” starring Elizabeth Shue and Aaron Eckhart, and the independent film
“Take My Life.”
Moffett’s television credits include series regular roles on “For Your Love,”
“Chicago Sons” and “The Oldest Rookie,” and recurring appearances on such series as
“Close to Home,” “Book of Daniel” and “Crossing Jordan.” He also guest starred on the
series “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “CSI: Miami,” “Commander In Chief” and many
others. Additionally, he starred in the television movies “An Early Frost,” “Riding the
Bus with My Sister,” “This Much I Know,” “The Secret She Carried” and “A Song from
the Heart.”
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Moffett enjoys spending time with his family,
playing tennis and traveling.
January 2007
GAIL O’GRADY
Karen Hardy in “Hidden Palms”
Emmy Award-nominated actress Gail O’Grady has starred in every genre of
entertainment, including feature films, television movies, miniseries and series television.
In The CW’s new drama “Hidden Palms,” O’Grady stars as Karen Miller, a woman
tormented by guilt over her first husband’s suicide and her son’s subsequent turn to
alcohol.
O’Grady most recently starred as Ava in the comedy “Hot Properties.” Prior to
that, she starred as Helen Pryor in the critically acclaimed series “American Dreams.”
O’Grady will also always be remembered as warm-hearted secretary Donna Abandando
on the series “NYPD Blue,” for which she received three Emmy Award nominations in
the category of Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series. She has made guest
appearances on some of television’s most acclaimed series, including “Cheers,”
“Designing Women,” “Ally McBeal” and “China Beach.”
O’Grady has appeared in numerous television movies and miniseries. She starred
in the television movie “Sex and the Single Mom,” which was so highly rated that it
spawned a sequel, in which she also starred. She received critical praise for her leading
role as Lt. Paula Coughlin in “She Stood Alone: The Tailhook Scandal,” and appeared
with Sally Kirkland in “Another Woman’s Husband.” Her other television credits
include “Medusa’s Child,” “Monk,” “Two of Hearts,” “The Three Lives of Karen,”
“Trial by Fire,” “Nothing Lasts Forever” and “Billionaire Boys Club.”
O’Grady has worked with some of the most respected directors in feature films,
including John Landis, John Hughes and Carl Reiner, and has starred with several acting
legends. She appeared in “Walking Across Egypt,” with Ellen Burstyn; “That Old
Feeling,” with Bette Midler; “She’s Having a Baby,” with Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth
McGovern, and “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” opposite Rob Schneider. Her other
feature credits include “Tricks” and “Celtic Pride.”
Born in Detroit, Michigan, O’Grady now resides in Los Angeles.
January 2007
ELLARY PORTERFIELD
Liza Witter in “Hidden Palms”
Newcomer Ellary Porterfield makes her television debut in The CW’s new drama
“Hidden Palms.” Porterfield plays Liza, a gifted science student who teams up with
Johnny (Taylor Handley) to discover the truth about Eddie’s death.
Born in Bend, Oregon, Porterfield was discovered at a talent competition in Los
Angeles in 2001. Her imitation of her seventh-grade teacher caught her future manager’s
eye and she was immediately signed. Since then Porterfield has filmed three pilots.
Porterfield made her feature film debut in “The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio”
with Julianne Moore. She played Moore’s daughter, Tuff Ryan.
Porterfield splits her time between Oregon and Los Angeles. In her free time, she
enjoys attending her brother’s high school basketball games, shopping for vintage
clothes, knitting, playing the piano and rock climbing.
January 2007
TESSA THOMPSON
Nikki Barnes in “Hidden Palms”
Familiar to television audiences from her role as Jackie Cook on “Veronica
Mars,” Tessa Thompson stars in The CW’s new drama “Hidden Palms.” Thompson
plays Nikki, a Los Angeles party girl with a history of alcohol abuse, whose affluent
family has written her off as a lost cause.
Born in Los Angeles, Thompson made her stage debut in a fifth-grade play,
starring as a tap-dancing wolf, opposite Amber Tamblyn. More recently, Thompson was
nominated for a NAACP Image Award for her stage performance as Juliet in “Romeo
and Juliet,” her first Shakespeare production. Subsequently, she has appeared in “The
Tempest” and “Twelfth Night,” as well as “Summertime,” “Grease” and “Guys and
Dolls.” Thompson was also the lead in “Indoor/Outdoor” at The Colony Theater in
Burbank, California.
In addition to her role on “Veronica Mars,” Thompson has guest starred on
“Grey’s Anatomy” and “Cold Case.” She also appeared in the television movie “The
Initiation of Sarah.”
Her feature films credits include “Everyday People,” “When a Stranger Calls” and
“He Got Game,” with Denzel Washington.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Thompson is the daughter of singer/songwriter
Marc A. Thompson of the New York-based band Chocolate Genius, and granddaughter
of actor/musician Bobby Ramos (“Latin Cruise”), one of the first Latin Americans to
have his own television show. She enjoys dance, choreography and sports, including
tennis, swimming, volleyball, surfing and cheerleading.
January 2007
KEVIN WILLIAMSON
Creator and Executive Producer of “Hidden Palms”
At the helm of both film and television, Kevin Williamson has established himself
in Hollywood as a true visionary whose unprecedented success created immediate
attention. He has garnered respect not just as a writer, but also as a producer and director
whose visions have resulted in some of the most lucrative franchise vehicles ever made.
Williamson’s first foray into television was the series “Dawson’s Creek,” a show
that instantly became a pop culture phenomenon. The show launched then-unknown
actors James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams into
instant stardom.
Preceding his success in the world of network television, Williamson's rise into
the spotlight began in 1996 with the modern cult-classic feature film “Scream” and the
1997 sequel “Scream 2.” Drawing on his childhood love of scary movies, Williamson
created and wrote the franchise that reinvigorated the horror genre and also tapped into
the previously ignored market of teen viewers. The films would go on to become the
highest-grossing horror films of all time, amassing more than $345 million worldwide.
With his self-referential wit and biting dialogue, Williamson was quickly named one of
Entertainment Weekly's Entertainers of the Year for 1997, and listed on the 1998
Premiere magazine Power 100 list.
On the heels of his “Scream” success, he also created and wrote the hit thriller “I
Know What You Did Last Summer,” featuring debut performances of some of the hottest
young actors in Hollywood, including Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe.
Immediately following that success, Williamson produced “Halloween: H2O” which
starred Jamie Lee Curtis and one of his “Dawson's Creek” stars, Michelle Williams.
After which, he collaborated with director Robert Rodriguez on the hit sci-fi thriller “The
Faculty.” Looking for the next challenge in his career, Williamson made his feature film
directorial debut in 1999 with “Teaching Mrs. Tingle.” This black comedy centers
around a group of students who hold their teacher hostage after a series of innocent
events turn dangerous. Helen Mirren starred in the title role, with a cast that included
Katie Holmes. The project was shot from the first script Williamson ever wrote and was
inspired by comments from his real-life English teacher who repeatedly dictated he
would never amount to anything.
Currently, he is writing “Miss Texas,” a comedy-drama he will direct later this
year for the Weinstein Company, where his production shingle, Outerbanks
Entertainment, has an overall deal.
January 2007
SCOTT WINANT
Executive Producer of “Hidden Palms”
Two-time Emmy Award-winning director/producer Scott Winant began his career
in partnership with Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz on the critically acclaimed series
“thirtysomething.” He produced all five seasons and was responsible for establishing the
show’s unique cinematic style of storytelling. In the second season, Winant received his
first Emmy nomination for directing and eventually went on to win the Emmy for
directing in the third season. Over the course of his career, Winant has been nominated
seven times, most recently for directing on his award-winning Showtime series “Huff.”
After “thirtysomething,” Winant partnered with Winnie Holzman to create and
produce the ground-breaking series “My So-Called Life.” This series introduced Claire
Danes and went on, after its run on ABC, to become a cult sensation on MTV.
Subsequently, Winant has directed and produced a number of successful pilots
and series, including “Earth 2,” with Steven Spielberg; “Significant Others,” starring
Jennifer Garner; “Cupid,” starring Jeremy Piven; “Get Real,” starring Anne Hathaway,
and “Georgetown,” starring Helen Mirren.
Recently, he has turned his attention to premium cable, where he created,
produced and directed the series “Carnival,” as well as “Dead Like Me” and “Huff.”
As a director, he has also contributed to other series, such as “The West Wing”
and “The Shield.”
Winant’s feature film credits include directing “’Til There Was You,” starring
Jeanne Tripplehorn and Sarah Jessica Parker, and producing the independent horror film
“The Initiation.”
January 2007