‘Outsiders’ sparks war of class and money

Associated Press

NEW YORK

“Outsiders,” the bare-knuckles new drama from WGN America, pits a tribe of off-the-grid hill people against “civilized” folk at the foot of the mountain who want to oust them to unearth a rich vein of coal just waiting to be mined once these long-entrenched squatters are evicted.

But it’s not going to be easy. Or pretty.

“We don’t go up THERE, they ain’t supposed to come down HERE,” warns Deputy Wade, reciting the policy of detente that keeps a shaky peace in place. It is Wade who now is ordered to drive them out.

Thomas M. Wright plays this put-upon lawman, with veteran actor David Morse starring as “Big Foster” Farrell, the fearsome heir-apparent to the tribe’s leadership, and, otherwise among the large cast, Ryan Hurst (known to “Sons of Anarchy” fans as motorcycle gangster Opie) portrays “Big Foster’s” formidable but tormented son.

Is the conflict in “Outsiders,” which finds the Farrells locked in internal strife while at the brink of war with the outside world, likely to cause fireworks in this pocket of Appalachia? In Farrell tribal-speak, you might say “Ged-gedyah.” Which translates into “Hell, yeah!” The series premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m.

“Outsiders” was created by Peter Mattei, whose resume includes playwright, novelist and filmmaker with a 2002 indie picture, “Love in the Time of Money,” that Robert Redford executive-produced and featured Vera Farmiga, Rosario Dawson, Steve Buscemi and Adrian Grenier. His range of cool comrades also includes an executive producer of “Outsiders,” Paul Giamatti, whom he first met when both were attending Yale Drama School.

“Outsiders” was created by Peter Mattei, whose resume includes playwright, novelist and filmmaker with indie picture, “Love in the Time of Money.”