Amazon isn’t giving up in the fight against Netflix just yet. Having recently nabbed the presenters of the BBC’s flagship Top Gear program for its own automobile extravaganza, the company has a new batch of pilot episodes for you to view and react to — as usual, the decision on whether or not these shows will be picked up for a full series depends on viewing figures and audience reaction, so start leaving those reviews.
First up is Sneaky Pete, in which Giovanni Ribisi plays a released prisoner who assumes the identity of another criminal … at least that’s what we can gather from the trailer below. Margo Martindale and Bryan Cranston also star. “[Ribisi’s character] moves in with Pete’s long-estranged, unsuspecting family and is roped into the family’s bail bond business,” explains the Amazon spiel. “He’s a criminal taking down other criminals and, in the process, he’ll discover the family life he’s never had.”
If you think that sounds familiar, it may be because CBS has already passed on the same pilot.
Also now available for your careful consideration is Casanova, a retelling of the story of the famous Lothario. From Amazon: “Exiled from his beloved Venice, Giacomo Casanova flees to Paris at the dawn of the Enlightenment in hopes of putting his reputation as a playboy behind him. But old habits die hard, and temptation is everywhere as Casanova finds a wealth of new opportunity … and trouble.” Diego Luna stars as the titular character.
The last batch of Amazon Original Series shows to get picked up for a full series included The Man in the High Castle, which debuts in November — there’s a new clip up for that program if you need a reminder of what it’s all about. Amazon will be hoping one of these new shows turns into a Transparent-style smash hit to boost its Amazon Instant Video streaming service (included as a Prime membership perk).
Which do you prefer of the two new shows? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments.
