Blunt Talk

Blunt Talk is an American sitcom on the Starz cable network starring Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Moby Dick), created by Jonathan Ames (Bored to Death), and executive produced by Seth MacFarlane. The series’ first two episodes were released online on August 15, 2015, and premiered on Starz on August 22, 2015. The first season concluded on October 24, 2015.

Starz ordered 20 episodes, which were split into two seasons. The second season premiered on October 2, 2016, and concluded on December 11, 2016. On December 20, 2016, the show was cancelled after two seasons.

Premise

The show follows British newscaster Walter Blunt who moves to Los Angeles with the intention of conquering American nightly cable news. His misguided decisions on and off the air prove that his ultimate ambitions will be difficult to achieve.

Blunt’s name was taken from the minor character Sir Walter Blunt in William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, which was Stewart’s first role with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Cast

Main

• Patrick Stewart as Walter Blunt, Falklands War veteran and former Royal Marines major turned cable journalist.
• Jacki Weaver (Water Under the Bridge) as Rosalie Winter
• Adrian Scarborough (The Paradise, Crashing) as Harry Chandler, Falklands War veteran and former Royal Marines lance corporal turned Walter’s valet
• Dolly Wells (Some Girls, Doll & Em) as Celia, Walter’s producer
• Timm Sharp (Enlightened, Six Feet Under) as Jim Stone
• Mary Holland (Veep) as Shelly Tinkle (recurring season 1; starring season 2)
• Karan Soni (Betas, The Neighbors, Fargo) as Martin Bassi (recurring season 1; starring season 2)

Recurring

• Richard Lewis (Anything But Love, Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Dr. Weiss, Walter’s psychiatrist
• Golden Brooks (Girlfriends, Hart of Dixie) as Vivian, Blunt’s ex-wife
• Ed Begley, Jr. (Better Call Saul, Betas, Portlandia, Arrested Development, Six Feet Under, St. Elsewhere) as Teddy Winter
• Romany Malco (Weeds, The Good Wife) as Bob Gardner, Walter’s boss
• Brent Spiner (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Outcast) as Phil, a pianist at the bar Walter frequents.
• Lesley Ann Warren (Desperate Housewives, Will & Grace, Mission: Impossible) as Cornelia