We envision that Matusow Affair will be told in the form of a scripted, narrative, historical drama limited series for television and online streaming. Through approximately ten hour-long episodes, it will take audiences inside the halls of the U.S. government and into the trenches with Albert's publishing team as they battle against great odds. Predominantly, the action will revolve around the efforts to write and publish Harvey's book, and the government's counter-efforts to prevent False Witness from seeing the light of day.
It's a big story. Matusow Affair has all the hallmarks of good television: high-profile historical events, government corruption, a wandering desert vision quest, a manhunt, an unpredictable whistle blower, a politically explosive exposé, a family struggling to stay together, David versus Goliath power dynamics, the security and freedom of our nation at stake and a robust cast of complex and controversial characters. Between its opening scene and its closing moments, you'll witness the rise and fall of Joe McCarthy, family bonds strained and tested, the second coming of Roy Cohn, J. Edgar Hoover's myopic battle to protect the reputation of his cherished FBI, and the heroism and disappointments of everyday men and women fighting for their most cherished beliefs. Connecting these puzzle pieces is a man who alternately plays the role of ally and enemy to each of them: Harvey Matusow.
Other main characters include Albert Kahn, Angus Cameron (Albert's publishing partner), Riette Kahn (Albert's wife), Clint Jencks (Albert's friend facing prison because of Harvey's false testimony), Ruth Sommers (Cameron & Kahn's office manager and femme fatale) and several composite FBI agents. The series forces us to wrestle with questions of faith, conscience, duty to country, commitment to fellow citizens, righteousness, and the uncertain nature of truth itself.
Working within the episodic format allows us to shift focus from one character to another from episode to episode, and to reveal contrasting perspectives on unfolding events or those of the past.