Dynasty / Mellons of New York
Creator, Co-writer and Director
This is an idea for a mini series, which follows the trials and tribulations of the fabulously wealthy Mellon’s family and is set in the 1920’s in uptown New York.
My story is set with the backdrop of a real life billionaire called Spencer Mellon. Mellon was a powerful American banker, politician, businessman, industrialist, philanthropist and a passionate art collector.
The narrative itself is based around his two, fictional, children, Charles, aged 22 and Poppy Mellon his 20 year old sister – both of whom are beautiful and key members of New York’s elite young set who enjoy a decadent and lavish lifestyle.
Charles Mellon is the billionaire’s oldest son, knows all too who well, that he will inherit the majority of his father’s wealth. His lifestyle is luxurious and has everything he needs in life and, much, much more. This allows him to have free reign on doing whatever he pleases, which often includes consuming copious amounts of alcohol and drugs with multi-millionaire friend Henry James Masters whilst in the midst of a prohibition. These two are partners in crime and can be seen hanging out in New York City’s most exclusive members clubs and speakeasies.
Poppy Mellon is in some ways, the perfect, sweet, caring, thoughtful daughter; however she enjoys a drink or two herself and has a wild side. She has a kinder heart and ambition to protect her father’s legacy. She believes that if he sees her in a good light, and discovers the truth about her brother, that he will give her the majority of the inheritance instead of it going to her older male sibling, Charles.
The show explores a myriad themes including , power, extreme wealth, greed, betrayal, gender, class and race expectations, lust and romance.
The siblings favourite hangout is a speakeasy called Jack’s and so the alluring world of jazz, and their interracial relationships with singers and musician weaves across storylines; as does the prohibition when their cocktail and cocaine forays, during prohibition, come under the scrutiny of the police force.
