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According to reports, a documentary series chronicling the history and impact of an iconic strip club in Atlanta, Georgia, has been acquired by the Starz network. Magic City: An American Fantasy, will be aired on Starz this summer, after making its debut at the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, last spring to rave reviews. The series consists of five episodes detailing what’s been referred to as the “Black Studio 54” and the impact it’s had on Hip-Hop culture, stemming from the story of its enigmatic owner, Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney. It’s been referenced in numerous songs, with a clientele that boasts names such as Shaquille O’Neal and Too Short among them.
“From politicians, to artists, to drug kingpins, Magic City has been a home for a broad cross-section of Black Atlanta for decades,” creator Cole Brown said in the press release. “Everyone should know the unbelievable story of this institution and the man who founded it, and Starz is the perfect partner to bring it to the world. We’re thrilled.” The team of executive producers behind Magic City: An American Fantasy includes legendary producer and Atlanta native Jermaine Dupri, DreamCrew Entertainment, which was created by Drake, and the majority owner of the Atlanta Hawks Jami Gertz. Charles Todd serves as director.
Other executive producers include Devin Amar and Alex Kaplan along with showrunner Bayan Joonam. In addition. the Scheme Engine, a BIPOC-founded studio with a focus on the representation of women and marginalized people in media, is also producing along with Ashley Brooke and Marlowe Blue. There is no date yet set for the series premiere. Its addition to Starz ties in with two of the network’s most popular series – B.M.F., which chronicles the story of the Black Mafia Family which has ties to Atlanta (with real-life members frequenting the club), and Katori Hall’s P-Valley, which revolves around the lives of African American female exotic dancers at a club called The Pynk.
“Magic City: An American Fantasy is a riveting behind-the-curtain look at one of the most unique places in Black culture,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming at Starz in the press release. “The docuseries’ unprecedented insider access and history unveiled from those who built its empire is a perfect complement to Starz’s slate of adult, culture-driving shows.”
