AMC Networks is developing a Max Headroom drama series reboot, with Matt Frewer set to reprise his role as the world’s first artificial intelligence TV personality. Halt and Catch Fire co-creator Christopher Cantwell is writing the adaptation and is attached as showrunner for the project, which is produced by Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah’s SpectreVision and All3Media.
Known for biting commentary, quick wit and manic glitching, the supposedly computer-generated TV host played by Frewer was first introduced in the 1985 British cyberpunk TV movie Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future. He became an instant pop culture phenom and went on to host a music-video show, star in ads for New Coke, appear on the cover of Newsweek and headline his own primetime series, Max Headroom, which aired on ABC for two seasons from 1987-88. At that point, the character’s massive popularity started to wane but he has remained a cult favorite with frequent pop culture references, on shows like BoJack Horseman and Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and in Selena Gomez’s music video for “Love You Like a Love Song”, among many others.
Cantwell, Frewer and Lisa Whalen executive produce the reboot with SpectreVision’s Wood and Noah.
