Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Sons of Anarchy (season 1)

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Country of origin
  
United States

Original network
  
FX

No. of episodes
  
13

Original release
  
September 3 (2008-09-03) – November 26, 2008 (2008-11-26)

The first season of the American television drama series Sons of Anarchy created by Kurt Sutter, about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show centers on protagonist Jackson "Jax" Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the then–vice president of the club, who begins questioning the club and himself.

Contents

Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 3, 2008, on cable network FX.

Cast and characters

Sons of Anarchy is the story of the Teller-Morrow family of Charming, California, as well as the other members of Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original (SAMCRO), their families, various Charming townspeople, allied and rival gangs, associates, and law agencies that undermine or support SAMCRO's legal and illegal enterprises.

Main cast

  • Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller (13 episodes)
  • Katey Sagal as Gemma Teller Morrow (13 episodes)
  • Mark Boone Junior as Robert "Bobby Elvis" Munson (13 episodes)
  • Kim Coates as Alexander "Tig" Trager (12 episodes)
  • Tommy Flanagan as Filip "Chibs" Telford (11 episodes)
  • Johnny Lewis as Kip "Half Sack" Epps (10 episodes)
  • Maggie Siff as Dr.Tara Knowles (13 episodes)
  • Ron Perlman as Clarence "Clay" Morrow (13 episodes)

    • Special guest cast

  • Drea de Matteo as Wendy Case (6 episodes)
  • Ally Walker as Agent June Stahl (6 episodes)
  • Tom Everett Scott as Rosen (2 episodes)
  • Brian Van Holt as Kyle Hobart ("Giving Back")

    • Guest stars

  • David LaBrava as Happy Lowman ("Hell Followed" + 4 as co-star)
  • Patrick St. Esprit as Elliott Oswald (2 episodes)
  • Kurt Sutter as "Big" Otto Delaney (2 uncredited)
  • Olivia Burnette as Homeless Woman (2 episodes)
  • Michael Shamus Wiles as Jury White ("Patch Over")
  • Kenneth Choi as Henry Lin ("Giving Back")
  • Michael Marisi Ornstein as Chuck Marstein ("Giving Back")
  • Marcos de la Cruz as Estevez ("The Sleep of Babies" + 1 uncredited)

    • Production

    Although Sons of Anarchy is set in Northern California's Central Valley, it is filmed primarily at Occidental Studios Stage 5A in North Hollywood. Main sets located there include the clubhouse, St. Thomas Hospital, and Jax's house. The production rooms at the studio used by the writing staff also double as the Charming police station. External scenes are often filmed nearby in Sun Valley and Tujunga. Interior and exterior scenes set in Northern Ireland during season 3 were also filmed at Occidental Studios and surrounding areas. A second unit shot footage in Northern Ireland used in the third season.

    Originally, Scott Glenn was cast in the role of Clay Morrow and an entire pilot episode was filmed with him. However, series creator Kurt Sutter decided to go in a different direction with the character and re-cast Ron Perlman in the role, and Clay's scenes were re-shot. Additionally, Emilio Rivera was originally cast as a Sons of Anarchy club member named "Hawk," who eventually evolved into the character of Tig Trager. Also, the One-Niners street gang who buy weapons from SAMCRO first appeared in The Shield, which Sutter produced.

    Reception

    The first season received generally positive reviews from industry critics. Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe said the first season had "real potential". The New York Times’ Gina Bellafante spoke highly of the cast's acting ability, particularly Sagal’s portrayal of Gemma. Brian Lowry of Variety gave a mixed review, admiring Sutter’s creation of the club and the town of Charming but observing the early episodes lacked direction.

    Home media release

    The first season was released on DVD on August 18, 2009.

    References

    Sons of Anarchy (season 1) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA