American Hostage is an American crime thriller television anthology series created by Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers for MGM+. Based on the podcast of the same name, the series is scheduled to premiere on September 20, 2026.
Contents
Plot
Beloved Indianapolis radio reporter Fred Heckman is thrust into the middle of a life-or-death crisis when hostage-taker Tony Kiritsis demands to be interviewed on his popular radio news program.
Cast
Main
Jon Hamm as Fred Heckman
Mireille Enos as Barbara
William Jackson Harper as Ben Hairston
Giovanni Ribisi as Tony Kiritsis
Kristoffer Polaha as Dick Hall
Recurring
Jonathan Tucker as Cormac McNally
Kat Cunning as Ibby Hall
Production
Development
On November 15, 2023, it was reported that Sony Pictures Television will produce the television series adaptation of the American Hostage podcast with Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers serving as showrunners and executive producing the series with Jon Hamm, Connie Tavel, Marney Hochman, Shawn Christensen and Gabriel Mason. On April 23, 2025, MGM+ greenlit the series. On June 26, 2025, Adam Arkin was set to direct the first four episodes of the series and serve as executive producer. Nina Lopez Corrado also served as director and executive producer of the series.
Casting
On November 15, 2023, Hamm was set to portray Fred Heckman in the first season. In August 2025, Mireille Enos joined the cast. In September 2025, William Jackson Harper, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kristoffer Polaha joined the cast. In October 2025, Jonathan Tucker and Kat Cunning were cast in recurring roles.
Filming
On April 23, 2025, it was reported the first season would be filmed in Winnipeg, Canada.
Release
The series is set to premiere on MGM+ on September 20, 2026. It will receive a preview screening in the "Primetime" program at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.
