Michael Kenneth Williams to Star in IFC's 'The Spoils Before Dying'

Michael Kenneth Williams (Boardwalk Empire, The Wire) is confirmed as the lead in fictional literary author Eric Jonrosh’s latest book-to-screen adaption, The Spoils Before Dying. In addition Will Ferrell will reprise his role as Jonrosh, the booze-soaked author turned director who opens and closes each riveting episode. Considered too risqué for the safe and sanitized living rooms of a 1950’s postwar nation, the six-part comedic miniseries will be coming to screens for the first time this summer, on IFC.

A pulp-noir murder mystery set in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles’ jazz scene, The Spoils Before Dying follows down-and-out pianist Rock Banyon (Michael Kenneth Williams) who becomes the Prime Suspect when his lead singer and occasional lover is found violently murdered in a car with another man. With the death of two people hanging over his head, Rock has only 72 hours to clear his name or fry in the electric chair. Determined to prove his innocence, Rock goes on an elusive quest for the truth that takes him into an abyss of sex, murder, love, betrayal, and of course, jazz.

IFC Orders Second 'Spoils' Saga From Fictional Literary Author Eric Jonrosh (Will Ferrell)

Press release from IFC below:

IFC ORDERS SECOND 'SPOILS' SAGA FROM LEGENDARY AUTEUR

The Spoils Before Dying to Premiere Summer 2015

Produced By Funny Or Die; Executive Produced By Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Matt Piedmont, Andrew Steele & Nate Young

New York, NY – July 7, 2014 – Following the popularity and success of this year's The Spoils of Babylon, IFC has ordered a second round of Funny Or Die's epic storytelling from the Spoils franchise. The latest book-to-screen adaption from fictional literary author Eric Jonrosh is titled The Spoils Before Dying. The monumental television event will premiere in summer 2015 with six brand new episodes.

Author-director-writer Eric Jonrosh (played by Will Ferrell) will be returning as the wine loving bon vivant who opens and closes each riveting episode with his personal insight. A new all-star cast will round out the comedic miniseries. The Spoils Before Dying is executive produced by Ferrell, Adam McKay, Matt Piedmont, Andrew Steele and Nate Young. Steele and Piedmont return as writers, with Piedmont also directing.

It's Official! IFC Changes Its Name To... IFC

Today at the Television Critics Association, IFC's President and General Manager, Jennifer Caserta, announced that the TV home of PORTLANDIA, MARON, COMEDY BANG! and other “slightly off” comedies has changed its name from IFC to IFC.

While the network has gone by the name IFC for several years now, it has become a destination for smart and unique alternative comedies. Some have occasionally continued to refer to it by the name that persisted on a piece of paper in the basement of its home office, the Independent Film Channel, but that document no longer exists.