Sony’s Crackle is expanding its scripted programming slate with a 10-episode order of drama series Start Up, starring Martin Freeman (Fargo), Adam Brody (CHiPs), Edi Gathegi and Otmara Marrero.
The hourlong series explores what happens when a brilliant, yet controversial tech idea gets incubated on the wrong side of the tracks by three strangers who don’t necessarily fit the mold of “tech entrepreneurs.” Set amongst the unconstrained, yet opportunist streets of Miami, Start Up features the high-stakes struggle of what one will do to reach ultimate success. The series starts filming this week in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Freeman (Fargo, Sherlock) plays FBI agent Phil Rask, specializing in financial crimes. Rask crosses paths with Nick Talman (Brody ), a sharp and intelligent financier at a boutique firm in Miami, but it’s not Talman Rask is after, it’s his father. Nick has a problematic relationship with his wealthy, irresponsible father, who disappears and forces Nick to stash his ill-gotten gain—instead of going to the FBI, he decides to hide the money by investing in a tech startup pitched by the unorthodox Izzy Morales, a tech whiz out to change the world (Marrero). Gathegi (The Blacklist) also stars as Ronald Dacey – second-in-command of the local Haitian gang.
Start Up is produced by Critical Content and Hollywood Gang Productions. Tom Forman, Andrew Marcus, Ray Ricord, Gianni Nunnari and Shannon Gaulding all serve as executive producers. The series is written by Ben Ketai (Chosen) who also serves as executive producer and director. Brody and Anne Clements (Cleaners) serve as producers.