Maxwell Older is a fantasy genre drama about a man gifted or plagued with immortality, depending upon your point of view.It is set in present day with occasional flashbacks to the past.
The Mythology
Henry VIII’s demands on his Court Physicians to protect his male heirs led to notorious experiments.One such experiment was conducted on Henry’s nephew, a child named MAXWELL OLDER.At birth the infant was immersed in a concoction that made him deathly ill, but when he recovered he became impervious to all diseases and injuries. By the age of 30 Max seemed virtually indestructible, and never aged beyond that point.
Through the centuries two factions have surrounded Max.His confidants and supporters, THE KEEPERS, have been a part of his life since birth.They exist to nurture and support him, to be his continual family, and to guard his secret.The dark faction, Max’s enemies, are THE SONS OF YORK.They are descendents of Cardinal Wolsey, a man with power second only to the Henry VIII’s.
The Sons of York hold Max and the Keepers responsible for Wolsey’s death and the shift of power and wealth that robbed them of incredible riches and an honorable place in history.
ALLYCE, a beautiful young woman Max met when they were both teens in Henry’s Court, became his love interest throughout time.Although Allyce does not share his “gift,” they are soulmates, and she reincarnates about every 50 years to return to him.
LACEY is the present day incarnation of Allyce, and she and Max are unaware of their prior relationship.Their present day association starts on the wrong foot and is rife with miscommunication.
PREFACE STATEMENT TO EVERY SHOW
Max’s voice-over a collage of images:
“My uncle, Henry VIII, wanted a male child immune to illness or injury.His doctors tried an experiment on me the day I was born.It worked.Now, almost 500 years later, I'm still around.My name is Maxwell Older.What's it like to be 30 for 500 years?It's wonderful.It's lonely.It's an eternal challenge.I'd be lost without The Keepers, my dearest friends.Of course there's a girl...her name is Allyce -- she’s a rare beauty with a kind and generous heart, and every 50 years or so she's reborn to be with me.Every parting is our death and every reunion our blessed rebirth.If you want to know what makes me tick, you have to know it's love.”
PRESENT DAY
MAXWELL OLDER has had 500 years to come to terms with the great questions of time.Throughout his long life he’s done every type of work imaginable, and literally knows something about everything.This puts him in an ideal position to resolve the crises that come up in his life and the lives of others.He now lives in Baltimore and travels the globe as a photojournalist.The series will travel between urban Baltimore, modern day hot-spots around the world, and occasional vignettes of his past.
Max makes his home alongside his Keepers in a condo complex that is a converted luxury hotel.Across the street is the Gold Bug Tavern which has become the warm and lively gathering place for the group.
The Keepers include: DORIS, the leader of the Keepers.GEORGE, a retired physician.BRONWEN, Max’s personal assistant.ALBERT, Max’s best friend, a travel writer with agoraphobia; afraid to leave his apartment. FRANKIE, the owner of the Gold Bug Tavern, and a former Special Forces soldier with skills.
LACEY is Max’s new book editor, and unbeknownst to Max or her, the reincarnation of Allyce.
After five centuries Max has decided the only thing worth living for is love.Love motivates him to help solve the problems of those around him every episode, sometimes at great physical risk to himself.Max finds his worth by helping others, whether they’re the subjects of his photos or long-time friends.
His longing for his lost love is Max’s Achilles heel, and as the series opens he finds himself emotionally crippled by the burdens of immortality and loneliness.How can he know his love hides in plain sight?
