Other Desert Cities Star Stacy Keach Previews New FX Series Lights Out

The new boxing drama Lights Out, which premieres on January 11 on the FX network, features a slew of stage actors, including two who are currently appearing in off-Broadway plays: Stacy Keach of Other Desert Cities and Pablo Schreiber of Gruesome Playground Injuries. “It’s a very well made piece of television,” Keach told Broadway.com. “We’ve never had a series about boxing, so that in itself has a certain freshness. The great coincidence is that Elizabeth Marvel [Keach’s daughter in Other Desert Cities] plays my daughter in the series. It’s serendipity.”

Lights Out centers on retired heavyweight champ Patrick Leary (Holt McCallany), who considers getting back in the ring to pay off mounting debts. Keach plays “Pops,” his son’s former trainer, and Schreiber is Johnny Leary, his brother’s business manager. Stage vets appearing in the series include Reg E. Cathey, Ben Shenkman, Pedro Pascal, Lauren Molina and Bill Irwin. Tony-winning playwright Warren Leight (Side Man) is an executive producer.

Although the show apparently echoes the current boxing hit The Fighter as well as Rocky, Keach said that the creators are aiming for a broader audience. “Holt McCallany, who plays my eldest son, has a wife and three daughters, so hopefully we’re going to be able to engage a female audience, as well.”