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From acclaimed director Michael Mann and Deadwood creator David Milch, the nine-episode first season of 'Luck', starring Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman and Oscar nominee Nick Nolte, premieres in Asia on February 20 at 10pm on HBO.

'Luck' is a behind-the-track look at the world of horse racing and gambling's denizens – owners, trainers, jockeys and gamblers. As the series opens, Chester “Ace” Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) is released from three years in federal prison. He is met by his driver and bodyguard, Gus Demitriou (Dennis Farina), who fronts as the owner of the $2 million Irish Horse that Ace just bought. A brilliant but disreputable trainer, the Peruvian Turo Escalante (John Ortiz), introduces us to their prized Irish thoroughbred, who is being examined by his girlfriend, track veterinarian Jo (Jill Hennessy).

Meanwhile, veteran trainer-turned-owner Walter Smith (Nick Nolte) contains his optimism pinned on his promising “Big Horse” because he is wary. The reason he is wary will be revealed later, but there is a dark history and a shadow of scandal behind the horse.

Four degenerate gamblers, Marcus (Kevin Dunn), Renzo (Ritchie Coster), Jerry (Jason Gedrick), and Lonnie (Ian Hart), meanwhile, are pooling their meager resources to bet Jerry’s hunch on the day’s long shot, a high-stakes Pick Six winners contest.

Michael Mann assembled a brilliant cast led by Hoffman and Nolte when he directed the pilot, written by series creator David Milch. In making the episodes as executive producers, they work collaboratively together, with Milch masterfully overseeing the writing for the series and Mann supervising every aspect of the filmmaking. LUCK was filmed at Santa Anita Park and other Los Angeles locations.

'Luck' also stars Richard Kind as jockey agent Joey Rathburn; Tom Payne as a beginner jockey Leon, a.k.a. “Bug Boy”; Kerry Condon as Rosie, an exercise girl with jockey ambitions; and real-life racing Hall of Famer Gary Stevens as Ronnie Jenkins, a talented but boozy veteran jockey.

Continuing guest stars on the series include Patrick J. Adams, Joan Allen, W. Earl Brown, Bruce Davison, Spencer Garrett, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ted Levine, Jurgen Prochnow, Alan Rosenberg, Mercedes Ruehl, Chantal Sutherland and Sir Michael Gambon.

HBO Original Series LUCK it premieres on February 20 at 10pm on HBO.

Cast:

CHESTER “ACE” BERNSTEIN played by Dustin Hoffman

The ultimate deal maker, Ace has been involved with various gambling enterprises for most of his life. Recently released from serving three years in prison, Ace has set his sights on Santa Anita race track as a means to settling a score.

WALTER SMITH “THE OLD MAN” played by Nick Nolte

A weathered trainer-turned-owner from Kentucky, Mr. Walter is cautiously hopeful about his promising colt, Gettn’up Morning. His optimism is tempered by unrevealed secrets from a past scandal.

GUS DEMITRIOU played by Dennis Farina

Ace’s longtime driver, muscle and confidante, Gus is taking on an expanded role for his boss, acting as the front for Ace’s ownership of a new Irish race horse, Pint of Plain.

TURO ESCALANTE played by John Ortiz

Escalante is a Peruvian immigrant who worked his way up to become a gifted horse trainer whose reputation for success is matched only by his often disreputable tactics.

JOEY RATHBURN played by Richard Kind

Rathburn is a jockey’s agent whose stammer and anxious toadying make him a frequent target of Escalante’s mockery.

MARCUS played by Kevin Dunn

A misanthropic ball buster in a motorized wheelchair, Marcus pursues a high stakes payoff with a guarded resolve. He is the ringleader of a foursome of degenerate gamblers that also includes Lonnie, Renzo and Jerry.

LONNIE played by Ian Hart

The newest addition to the group of degenerates, Lonnie is a would-be player who is more likely to get “played” himself.

RENZO played by Ritchie Coster

Not the brightest gambler in the bunch, Renzo's disability checks are not long for his wallet. His big ambition is to own a race horse one day.

JERRY played by Jason Gedrick

Jerry is a railbird with a genuine gift for handicapping horses and a profound weakness for high stakes poker.

ROSIE played by Kerry Condon

Rosie works as an exercise girl for Mr. Walter (Nolte) and is eager to earn a shot as a jockey with the Big Horse as her mount.

RONNIE JENKINS played by Gary Stevens

A veteran jockey, Ronnie’s seen it all before and has soothed too many a pain with a bottle of Jack Daniels. Joey is his agent.

LEON “BUG BOY” MICHEAUX played by Tom Payne

Leon is an apprentice jockey represented by Joey. Despite his enthusiasm, his challenges in making weight threaten to derail his promising talent.

JO played by Jill Hennessy

Jo is a race track veterinarian who cares for the horses in Escalante’s barn. Savvy and no-nonsense, she can give back whatever Escalante tries to dish out.

Image from HBO Asia. Used with permission.