WHY THIS PROJECT?

The Right Man. The Right Moment. The Right Story.

1. A True Untold Story (Untapped IP)
George B. Cortelyou was real. Audiences crave untold stories of real people who made a positive difference. In a world hungry for competence and integrity, this is the story we need now.

2. The Rise of a Different Kind of Hero
Cortelyou’s ascent - from stenographer to Presidential contender - offers the emotional arc of a classic underdog story. His quiet strength and real achievements are deeply refreshing.

3. An Era That’s Been Overlooked
The turn of the 20th century, 1895 to 1908, was one of the most dynamic and dramatic periods in American history, yet it’s been almost entirely untouched by modern prestige television.

4. History Repeats: The Same Struggles, New Faces
Political polarization, billionaire industrialist, presidential assassination attempts, new inventions, the environment, trade tariffs, racial tension - the themes are strikingly current.

5. Electric Surroundings
White House. Wall Street. Supreme Court. Pan-American Exposition of 1901. San Francisco Earthquake. Pennsylvania coal mines. The building of the Panama Canal. Yosemite National Park. This is a visual feast of epic moments and iconic settings.

6. Rediscovering McKinley
With renewed political attention on President McKinley - referenced frequently by modern leaders - there’s growing curiosity about his presidency and legacy. This series brings him to life (and his wife) with depth and context, through the eyes of his most trusted aide.

7. A Cast of Living Legends
The supporting characters are icons: Theodore Roosevelt, Booker T. Washington, Emma Goldman, John D. Rockefeller, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers. The series reintroduces them as full-blooded human beings - not caricatures from textbooks.

8. Innovation in the Air
Electricity, telephones, motion pictures, automobiles, the x-ray machine, the safety razor - this was the dawn of the modern world. The show captures the excitement of progress.