The History Channel Greenlights New Documentary Series “Kevin Costner’s The West” (working title) Executive Produced by Academy Award-Winner Kevin Costner

The HISTORY® Channel greenlights “Kevin Costner’s The West” (working title) a new, eight-episode documentary series hosted and executive produced by Academy Award®-winner Kevin Costner and executive produced by Pulitzer Prize®-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and Academy Award®-winning production company RadicalMedia in association with Territory Pictures, Pastimes Productions, and Six West MediaTM group. This original series will transcend the clichés and myths of the ‘Wild West’ and from a myriad of perspectives capture the spirit of opportunity, adventure and peril through the diverse, complex characters and untold stories that defined the era and continue to shape our country today.

“I am in love with history. I love the rich, heroic, and harrowing stories of the West. The people and their stories have always held a fascination for me, but there’s an urgency today to put those times and the men and women who we think we know in perspective, in the context of their times, without judgement,” said Costner. “This particular West project is significant for me as it marks a return to The HISTORY Channel, the home of my first foray into television with the ‘Hatfields & McCoys‘, and an opportunity to partner with the legendary biographer and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, who so artfully weaves together important stories that are at once expansive, intimate and true.”

“Kevin Costner’s body of work on the American West has defined him as one of the finest storytellers of this genre and of our time,” said Goodwin. “What a privilege it is for my partner Beth Laski and I to collaborate with Kevin and his team and our trusted colleagues at The HISTORY Channel and RadicalMedia to portray with authenticity and accuracy a sweeping and nuanced portrait of the American West and its people, places, and movements at this pivotal time in American history.”

“The stories of the American West are gripping and riveting narratives – some that are familiar and others that have yet to be told – yet all of them deserve to be shared on a large scale,” said Paul Buccieri, President and Chairman of A+E Networks Group. “It’s an incredible honor to reunite with Kevin and Doris – two truly powerhouse collaborators – who share our passion, vision, and commitment to create exceptional historically-based content that is the backbone of A+E Networks.”

Told through extraordinary characters, historical archive, and distinguished expert interviews, “Kevin Costner’s The West” (w.t.) will capture a multi-layered portrait of the American frontier from the literal trailblazers to the law enforcers and the bloody battles for both land and freedom. By deepening the audience’s understanding of this transformative period in our country’s past, the series will also illuminate how the stories of The West continue to impact the nation today. “Kevin Costner’s The West” (w.t.) marks the network’s 4th overall project with Doris Kearns Goodwin and RadicalMedia, who produced “Abraham Lincoln,” “Theodore Roosevelt,” and the upcoming miniseries “FDR,” slated to premiere across three consecutive nights beginning Monday, May 29 @ 8PM ET/PT.

“Kevin Costner’s The West” (w.t.) is produced for The HISTORY® Channel by RadicalMedia in association with Territory Pictures, Pastimes Productions, and Six West MediaTM group. Kevin Costner, Rod Lake, and Howard Kaplan serve as executive producers for Territory Pictures. Jon Kamen and Dave Sirulnick serve as executive producers for RadicalMedia. Doris Kearns Goodwin and Beth Laski serve as executive producers for Pastimes Productions.