Boxing drama “Lights Out” to air Tuesday night on FX
The new FX series “Lights Out” a drama centered around the sport of boxing, is set to air Tuesday, January 11, at 10 p.m. The series tells the story of Patrick ‘Lights’ Leary, a former heavyweight boxing champion from Bayonne, New Jersey, who retired after he lost his crown in a controversial split decision loss to Death Row Reynolds.
Five years later, his money is gone, his health is in question, and he’s struggling to find a way to support his wife, three daughters and extended family. He must choose between two equally unfavorable alternatives: either return to boxing or reluctantly accept a job as a brutal and intimidating debt collector. The people who care most about him don’t want to see him fight again. By returning to the ring, he not only risks his life but his marriage.
The former world heavyweight champ, Lennox Lewis (left), squares off against actor Holt McCallany (right) during the media event. Photo: Tom Casino
After being a professional actor for 20 years, the lead role of Patrick ‘Lights’ Leary, provides Holt McCallany an opportunity of a lifetime to showcase his acting talents. You might recall seeing him in various Hollywood’s flicks in a supporting cast role. Most recently he appeared as a bad guy in the Warner Bros. feature The Losers. Other film credits include Men of Honor, Three Kings, Fight Club, Below, and Vantage Point. His television appearances include: CSI Miami, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Burn Notice, Criminal Minds and Heroes.
Holt was born into a family of New York City actors; his mother was an actress and singer, his father a Tony Award-winning actor and producer. He began school in Dublin, Ireland at the age of five before his parents moved back to NY.
At 14-years of age, he ran away from home and took a Greyhound bus to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. Holt’s parents tracked him down and sent him back to Ireland to a boarding school. Following high school, he went to France to continue his education. He learned French at the Sorbonne, studied art history at the Paris American Academy, and theater at L’Ecole Marceau and L’Ecole Jacques Lecoq. He spent a summer studying Shakespeare in Oxford. After Europe, he moved back to New York permanently to begin his acting career.
Catherine McCormack (Braveheart) co-stars as “Theresa Leary,” Lights’ wife who is finishing her medical residency; Pablo Schreiber (Law & Order) as “Johnny Leary,” Lights’ brother and business manager whom Lights put through college; and Stacy Keach (Fat City) as “Pops,” Lights’ father and former trainer who runs the boxing gym owned by Lights.
Throughout the series you’ll see cameos by people currently in the sport, like Michael Buffer, referee Joe Cortez, Bob Arum, Larry Holmes, etc. Since Freddie Roach was called upon to give further instruction to the lead actor who in the story visits Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, it’s likely Roach will be nominated for an Emmy. Acting in the movies has always been one of Roach’s passions.
Six legendary boxers attended the media event to help promote the upcoming FX series, “Lights Out.” (Front row, l to r) Executive Producer Warren Light, Micky Ward, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, actors Holt McCallany and Pablo Schreiber, and Lennox Lewis. (back row, l to r): Wladimir Klitschko, Gerry Cooney and Larry Holmes. Photo: Tom Casino
