Will Arnett has joined the cast of Prime Video's forthcoming limited series, 'The Challenger.' He will star alongside Kristen Stewart, who is set to portray the pioneering astronaut Sally Ride in the drama.
In the series, Arnett will take on the role of George Abbey, a prominent NASA official. The narrative of 'The Challenger' is based on Meredith E. Bagby's 2023 publication, 'The New Guys.' It promises to explore the critical period leading up to the tragic Challenger disaster, the exhaustive inquiry that followed, and the historic achievements of Sally Ride, who became the first American woman to journey into space. The production is a collaborative effort between Big Swing Productions, Amblin Television, and Stewart's own Nevermind Pictures. Arnett's character, George Abbey, played a pivotal role as the director of flight operations for NASA, specifically being responsible for assigning Ride to the 1983 space shuttle Challenger mission. He later rose to become the director of the Johnson Space Center. After her initial flight, Ride participated in one additional shuttle mission and contributed to several others as part of the ground control team, eventually serving on the commission that investigated the 1986 Challenger explosion. Prime Video greenlit 'The Challenger' in March, marking Stewart's inaugural continuous role in a television or streaming production.
Maggie Cohn, known for her work on 'The Staircase' and 'Impeachment: American Crime Story,' is the creative force behind 'The Challenger,' serving as both its creator and showrunner. Cohn also executive produces alongside director James Hawes, with Kyra Sedgwick and Valerie Stadler representing Big Swing Productions, which was instrumental in developing Bagby's book. Bagby herself is an executive producer, as are Stewart, Dylan Meyer, and Maggie McLean for Nevermind Pictures, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey for Amblin Television. Arnett's recent projects include the feature film 'Is This Thing On?', which he co-wrote, and a guest appearance on Paramount+'s 'The Madison.' A seven-time Emmy nominee and co-host of 'SmartLess,' Arnett's impressive resume also features roles in 'The Morning Show,' 'Twisted Metal,' and classic shows like 'BoJack Horseman,' 'Arrested Development,' and '30 Rock.' His upcoming work includes Tony Gilroy's film 'Behemoth!', where he will appear alongside Pedro Pascal, Matthew Lillard, and Olivia Wilde.
The upcoming series not only promises compelling storytelling but also highlights the significant achievements of women in science and space exploration. By recounting Sally Ride's groundbreaking journey and the challenges she faced, the show serves as an inspiration, emphasizing resilience, scientific curiosity, and the pursuit of human potential. It underscores the importance of acknowledging historical events, learning from them, and celebrating those who push boundaries for progress.
