Michael Kenneth Williams joins Will Ferrell to star in IFC’s follow-up miniseries to The Spoils of Babylon

Omar. Chalky. Rock.

Michael Kenneth Williams will chalk up a new iconic TV character, starring as pianist Rock Banyon in the new IFC miniseries parody, The Spoils Before Dying. The cable network announced the casting today.

The Spoils Before Dying comes from the same Funny or Die team that brought IFC the Emmy-nominated miniseries spoof, The Spoils of Babylon, with an all-star cast last year. The only confirmed returnee so far from that effort will be Will Ferrell, reprising his role as Eric Jonrosh, the fictional alcoholic author of the books that have spawned these miniseries.

“We’ve been spoiled by the talent we’ve been able to attract to this franchise,” said Jennifer Caserta, IFC’s president. “We know Michael will bring the same swagger of his previous larger-than-life roles to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a dangerous world that was too hot for television.”

Production is underway on the six-part comedic miniseries, with a summer premiere planned.

Williams previously shone in two critically-acclaimed HBO dramas, first as Omar Little on The Wire; then as Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire. For The Spoils Before Dying, he’ll play a down-and-out pianist who becomes the prime suspect in a pulp-noir murder mystery set in 1950s Los Angeles. The production notes: “With the death of two people hanging over his head, Rock has only 72 hours to clear his name or fry in the electric chair. Determined to prove his innocence, Rock goes on an elusive quest for the truth that takes him into an abyss of sex, murder, love, betrayal, and of course, jazz.”

Expect more stars to show up along the way.

Funny or Die’s first miniseries spoof for IFC, The Spoils of Babylon attracted actors such as Jessica Alba, Val Kilmer, Tobey Maguire, Haley Joel Osment, Tim Robbins, Michael Sheen, and Kristen Wiig, who earned Emmy™ nomination in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or Movies.

Adam McKay, Matt Piedmont, Andrew Steele and Nate Young again are executive producing, with Steele and Piedmont writing, and Piedmont also directing.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

View all posts by Sean L. McCarthy →