Chris Pratt is saddling up for an unlikely buddy comedy: a series of comedy shorts focused on American history, co-starring presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.
The series comes from digital and creative media studio ATTN:, with Emmy winner Alex Gregory (“Veep,” “White House Plumbers”) serving as as producer. The shorts will follow Pratt as he attempts to share his passion for American history, only to discover that his grasp of the facts may not be quite as strong as his enthusiasm. Fortunately, Goodwin serves as executive producer, editorial advisor, and on-screen authority, helping keep the lessons on track.
The project has received funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Public Diplomacy and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, intended to “inform and engage foreign publics about America through international media engagement, educational and cultural exchange programs, digital communications, and outreach conducted through U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide,” per an announcement. The series was designed as a “public diplomacy initiative intended to engage international audiences with America’s constitutional values and history through modern digital storytelling,” producers said.
Nicknamed a “FasterClass” for U.S. history, each episode explores a defining constitutional value through the story of a pivotal historical figure or happening. Blending live action and animation, the digital shorts pair Pratt’s curiosity and humor with Goodwin’s historical expertise and fact-checking to highlight America’s founding ideals.
“At ATTN:, we’re always looking for new ways to make important topics accessible to broader audiences,”said Matthew Segal, ATTN: co-founder and CEO. “America’s 250th anniversary presents a unique diplomacy opportunity to reintroduce the stories, principles, and people that shaped the nation. Chris and Doris are an unexpected but perfect pairing, bringing together entertainment and expertise in a way that feels informative, entertaining, and distinctly modern.”
Founded in 2014, ATTN: bills itself as a nonpartisan voice in civic engagement and public education. The company has partnered with leaders from across the political spectrum, including Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, first Ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Jill Biden, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ann Romney, to name a few.