A political conspiracy from beyond the grave fuels new thriller Emperor of Ocean Park
A sudden death rocks the world of American politics in the new mystery thriller series Emperor of Ocean Park. Based on the 2002 novel of the same name from author Stephen L. Carter, the 10-episode series follows Ivy League law professor Talcott “Tal” Garland (Grantham Coleman, Lawmen: Bass Reeves) as he struggles to make sense of the final wishes of his late father, Judge Oliver Garland (Oscar winner Forest Whitaker).
When his father unexpectedly dies of a heart attack, Tal finds himself the executor of Oliver’s unnamed “final arrangements.” Without much to guide him, Tal must investigate his father’s past relationships to get to the bottom of whatever it is he is meant to sweep up. The mystery of these arrangements leaves Tal questioning his father’s career, relationships and the nature of his death.
One of the first places Tal starts looking for answers is a monumental moment in Oliver’s life and career. The federal judge was denied a seat on the Supreme Court, in part because of his relationship with CIA operative Jack Ziegler, portrayed by actor Torrey Hanson (The Exorcist). A college roommate of Oliver’s, Jack’s reputation turned when it was discovered that he used his access to government secrets to aid a ruthless criminal career.
Having vacated the bench after his relationship to a rather unsavoury character was revealed, Oliver became a go-to conservative political pundit. The gig was profitable, but it was also very public — being a mascot for right-wing values came with visibility to both those who shared those beliefs and others who opposed the messages that Oliver effectively delivered to everyday Americans.
With Oliver eulogized as “a fierce advocate for his beliefs” and “a man who did what he thought was right, his relationship with Jack, infamous for his participation in illegal arms sales and money-laundering schemes, deepens the growing conspiracy surrounding the judge’s death.
Spurring on Tal’s investigation is his sister Mariah (Tiffany Mack, Jessica Jones). A former journalist, Mariah points to Oliver’s medical records, which show no sign of an impending heart attack, as significant evidence that their father was met with foul play in his final moments.
A clean bill of health and a close relationship with a very powerful criminal lead the Garland siblings to believe that the scales are tipping more toward conspiracy than coincidence. Given that Jack’s extensive criminal résumé includes probable contract killings, Tal and Mariah feel like they’re treading dangerous waters trying to get to the truth of what happened to their father. While the Garlands try to uncover secrets so big that their father could only hint at them from the grave, hot on their tails is the FBI, using the sibling investigators’ moves for their own research.
Keith Powers (The Tomorrow War) stars as Lionel “Nasty Nel” Eldridge, a former NBA star who left the glamorous life of a professional athlete behind for the stability of a career in law, becoming one of Tal’s students. Also guest starring in the mystery series are Kelli Simpkins (American Rust) as Dana Worth, one of Tal’s colleagues who is quick to join in on the investigation into Oliver’s past; Keith Kupferer (Ghostlight) as Mallory “Uncle Mal” Corcoran, a powerful lawyer and friend of Oliver; and Deanna Reed-Foster (Shining Girls) as fun-loving cousin Sally Garland.
Also appearing in Emperor of Ocean Park are Paulina Lule (General Hospital) as Tal’s wife, Kimmer; Henry Simmons (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as the third Garland sibling, Addison; Bryan Greenberg (The Mindy Project) as Howard Denton; Ora Jones (61st Street) as Claire Garland; and Jasmine Batchelor (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) as Maxine.
Carter, who has penned numerous novels and non-fiction books about American politics, is a professor at Yale Law School and a frequent columnist on sociopolitical issues, and wrote The Emperor of Ocean Park over two decades ago in a much different political climate than the one we live in today. While many things have changed over time, debates over political power have endured.
“Stephen L. Carter’s bestselling novel set a new standard for stories about power, race, politics and wealth,” showrunner and executive producer Sherman Payne said in a news release announcing the series. “It’s exceedingly rare to see Black people depicted in these settings, and I believe viewers of all backgrounds will be entertained by our portrayal of the extraordinary Garland clan and the intrigue that engulfs them,” Payne added.
Emperor of Ocean Park airs Monday, July 15 on CTV Drama