5 Things to Know About HBO's Luck

MICHAEL MANN AND DAVID MILCH
The executive producers behind this project are none other than Hollywood director Michael Mann and television writer and HBO favorite David Milch. Mann, responsible for intoxicating action hits such as Heat and Public Enemies–his adaptation of Miami Vice we’d rather forget–directs the pilot episode. He fuels the cinematography with his signature shaky shots, that make things feel raw and realistic.

The latter on the other hand, Milch, is responsible for HBO’s critically acclaimed Deadwood that made Ian McShane a household name at being badass with a handlebar mustache. Although Mann only directs the first episode, succeeding ones are helmed by other notable TV talents like Allen Coulter (The Sopranos, Six Feet Under) and action director Philip Noyce (Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games). There’s definitely no scrimping on the budget.

VETERAN ACTORS GALORE
It stars Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, and Dennis Farina, who are all exemplary actors. Luck is a sure bet, pairing these Hollywood veterans with other character actors like Richard Kind, Kevin Dunn, and John Ortiz. All of who carry that accessible, “I’m your average Joe” kind of vibe, making emotional investments even that harder to resist.

BUT WAIT, THE GIRLS ARE GREAT, TOO!
Okay, this might seem like a testosterone-heavy show. Well, it kind of is. But don’t worry. There is some estrogen eye candy with Irish actress Kerry Condon. She plays Rosie, an ambitious exercise girl eager to become a jockey, mount a famed horse, and ride it wildly to the win.

Doesn’t sound sexy? Well maybe TV vixen Jill Hennessy–of Law and Order and Crossing Jordan–is more your type. She plays Jo, a racetrack veterinarian who tells it like it is and sticks her hand up horse’s butts (for medical reasons of course).

EQUUS EXCITEMENT
Luck starts with the release of Chester “Ace” Bernstein (Hoffman) from prison who then meets up with his right-hand man Gus (Farina), who is now fronting as the owner of a prized horse that Ace just purchased. Simultaneously Walter Smith, a vet in the industry is placing his money on his own charger, “Big Horse,” for reasons yet to be revealed.

Another subplot focuses on four gamblers at wits end, trying to make it big by going all-in on a high-stakes gamble. A lot goes on in the story, and just like Milch’s Deadwood, it’s a slow-paced build up. Things must ease their way into tension before actually exploding. Its excitement lies in the beauty of the characters' complexities and choices, finding out what each will do to actually finish first.

A WHOLE LOT OF (HUH)STLING
The first episode might be a bit jarring for those who aren’t familiar with horse racing, its culture, and its terminologies. A lot of betting, waging, and conversing about the ins and outs of the sport come up, and you just might find yourself going, “Huh? What the fuck did he just say?” Terms like “Pick 6” and “All Bet” filled the dialogue, and we sure were a bit confused. May we suggest this helpful link, here? Go through it, and soon, you just might be betting your life away as well!