AMC “Thunder Road”: Jake Manley Joins Dennis Quaid in Upcoming NASCAR Drama
AMC “Thunder Road” is expanding its cast as the upcoming NASCAR drama prepares to bring a multigenerational stock car racing dynasty to television.
Jake Manley, known for My Life with the Walter Boys and Midway, has joined the series regular cast of Thunder Road. He joins an ensemble led by Dennis Quaid alongside Chase Stokes, Michael Rooker, Matt Barr, Maggie Grace, and West Duchovny.
The new AMC series combines family drama, Southern culture, fierce rivalries, and the high-stakes world of stock car racing. With production moving forward and a 2027 premiere planned for AMC and AMC+, Thunder Road is shaping up to be a notable addition to AMC’s upcoming television lineup.
What Is AMC “Thunder Road” About?
Created by John Fusco, AMC “Thunder Road” follows the fictional Whitlock family, whose history is deeply connected to stock car racing and the Southern hill country where their racing legacy began.
The Whitlocks have built their reputation through generations of racing, with family roots stretching back to moonshine runs and dirt tracks.
But their racing dynasty is now under threat.
Competitors are determined to take their place, forcing the Whitlock family to fight for the empire they have spent generations building. At the center of that struggle is patriarch Duane Whitlock, a legendary racer unwilling to watch his family’s legacy disappear.
The series is being produced in association with NASCAR, giving Thunder Road a direct connection to the organization at the center of American stock car racing.
Dennis Quaid Leads AMC “Thunder Road”
Dennis Quaid stars as Duane Whitlock, better known as “The Wrecking Ball.”
Duane is a racing legend who transformed his family’s roots in moonshine runs and dirt-track racing into a powerful racing empire.
Now, that empire faces an uncertain future.
As rivals attempt to dethrone the Whitlocks, Duane is determined to protect everything his family has built. His fight to preserve the dynasty provides the foundation for the family conflict and racing rivalries expected to drive the series.
Jake Manley Joins the “Thunder Road” Cast
Jake Manley has joined AMC “Thunder Road” as series regular Zak Farley.
Zak comes from another hill country racing family and has been raised to continue the Farley racing dynasty. The Farleys are longtime rivals of the Whitlocks, immediately placing Zak on the opposite side of the show’s central family.
On the racetrack, Zak is an aggressive competitor willing to wreck another driver if doing so gives him an advantage.
His relationship with the Whitlocks, however, becomes considerably more complicated away from racing.
Who Is Zak Farley?
Zak Farley brings both rivalry and romance into the story.
Despite the longstanding tension between their families, Zak develops a connection with Cassie Whitlock, played by West Duchovny.
Cassie appears to bring out a side of Zak that his competitors rarely see. Their relationship could put both characters in danger as the Farley-Whitlock rivalry continues to unfold.
The storyline adds another layer to Thunder Road beyond its racing action, creating a conflict between family loyalty and personal relationships.
AMC “Thunder Road” Cast
The announced Thunder Road cast includes:
- Dennis Quaid as Duane Whitlock
- Jake Manley as Zak Farley
- Chase Stokes
- Michael Rooker
- Matt Barr
- Maggie Grace
- West Duchovny as Cassie Whitlock
Michael Rooker and Devon Allman are also set to appear in recurring roles.
Additional characters and casting announcements may emerge as production progresses.
Who Is Jake Manley?
Jake Manley has built a growing résumé across television and film.
Audiences may recognize him from Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys, where he has appeared in a recurring role. His credits also include Midway, Pursuit, and Infamous.
Manley recently starred in Lionsgate’s Do Not Enter opposite Adeline Rudolph and appeared opposite Helena Howard in Find Your Friends.
He is also set to star in the horror film Casket Girls.
His role as Zak Farley gives Manley another significant television project and places him directly within one of Thunder Road’s central family rivalries.
Who Is Behind AMC “Thunder Road”?
John Fusco created Thunder Road and serves as an executive producer.
Taylor Elmore serves as showrunner and executive producer. The executive producing team also includes Cliff Roberts through Syndicate Entertainment, Mark L. Smith, and NASCAR Studios’ Tim Clark and John Dahl.
Gladys Cheng serves as producer.
The involvement of NASCAR Studios could help the series incorporate elements of racing culture into its fictional story about the Whitlock and Farley families.
Who Are the Casting Directors for AMC “Thunder Road”?
Casting is an important part of bringing the racing families, communities, and competitive atmosphere of AMC “Thunder Road” to the screen.
CL Casting is one of the casting directors working on Thunder Road. The casting company is involved in finding talent for the production and helping build the on-screen world surrounding the Whitlock family and its racing rivals.
A television production centered on stock car racing can require a wide range of performers to create believable racetracks, garages, crowds, celebrations, businesses, and Southern communities. Depending on production needs, casting opportunities may include background actors, featured performers, stand-ins, photo doubles, and talent with specialized skills.
Performers interested in Thunder Road should watch for official casting announcements as production progresses. Project Casting will continue highlighting relevant casting opportunities connected to the series when they become available.
AMC “Thunder Road” Season 1 Casting Call for Bar Regulars
Bar Regulars and Patrons for “Thunder Road” Season 1
Job Description
“Thunder Road” Season 1 is seeking men and women to portray bar regulars and patrons at an established local hometown bar. This background acting opportunity is looking for talent who can naturally create the atmosphere of a lived-in rural bar, portraying familiar faces and longtime customers. Some performers may be selected as recurring bar regulars and return throughout the series.
Job Responsibilities
- Portray a local bar regular or patron in background scenes.
- Create a natural and authentic hometown bar atmosphere.
- Interact naturally with other background performers during filming.
- Follow direction from the production team throughout each scene.
- Return for additional filming if selected as a recurring bar regular.
Requirements
- Men and women, ages 21 and older.
- Open to a variety of ages and character types.
- Must be comfortable portraying a bar patron or longtime local regular.
- Must be able to work in Senoia, Georgia.
- Must be available for single-day or potential multi-day bookings.
Compensation
- $182 for 12 hours per day.
AMC “Thunder Road” Season 1 Casting Call for Automative Enthusiasts
Automotive Enthusiasts for “Thunder Road”
Job Description
“Thunder Road” is seeking men and women with hands-on automotive experience, mechanic skills, or a genuine passion for working on cars. This recurring background acting opportunity is ideal for mechanics, automotive enthusiasts, car experts, and knowledgeable car lovers who can bring authenticity and personality to automotive-focused scenes. Selected talent may have opportunities to return for multiple episodes throughout the production.
Job Responsibilities
- Portray an automotive enthusiast or experienced car professional in background scenes.
- Bring authentic knowledge and familiarity with cars to the role.
- Perform naturally around vehicles and automotive environments.
- Follow direction from the production team during filming.
- Maintain availability for potential recurring appearances throughout the project.
Requirements
- Open to men and women.
- Must have mechanic experience, hands-on automotive experience, or strong knowledge of cars.
- Genuine automotive enthusiasts and car experts are encouraged to apply.
- Must be comfortable working around vehicles on set.
- Must be able to work in Senoia, Georgia.
Compensation
- $182 for 12 hours per day.
AMC “Thunder Road” Season 1 Open Casting Call
Featured Female Race Reporter and Press Reporters for “Thunder Road” Season 1
Job Description
“Thunder Road” Season 1 is seeking talent for featured reporter and press roles filming in Senoia, Georgia. The production is casting a featured female race reporter to portray an on-camera track reporter, along with men and women to portray members of the press, including news crews, reporters, journalists, and photographers.
Job Responsibilities
- Portray a professional race reporter, journalist, photographer, or news crew member.
- Perform naturally in trackside, press, and media-related scenes.
- Follow direction from the production team throughout filming.
- Maintain professional and believable background or featured character behavior on camera.
Requirements
- Featured Female Race Reporter: Female talent, ages 20–40s.
- Press Reporters: Male and female talent, age 18 and older.
- Press roles are open to all ethnicities.
- Comfortable portraying reporters, journalists, photographers, or news crew members.
- Must be available to work in Senoia, Georgia.
Compensation
- $182 for 12 hours per day.
When Will AMC “Thunder Road” Premiere?
AMC plans to premiere Thunder Road on AMC and AMC+ in 2027.
Production is expected to move forward ahead of the show’s debut, with additional information about the series likely to emerge as filming progresses.
An exact premiere date has not yet been announced.
Why AMC “Thunder Road” Could Be One to Watch
Thunder Road combines several elements that could make the series particularly interesting for television audiences: professional racing, multigenerational family conflict, romance, rival dynasties, and Southern history.
Rather than focusing exclusively on what happens behind the wheel, the series appears positioned to explore what racing means to families whose identities and livelihoods have been built around it.
Dennis Quaid’s Duane Whitlock represents the older generation fighting to preserve that legacy, while characters such as Zak Farley and Cassie Whitlock bring a younger generation into the rivalry.
That combination gives AMC “Thunder Road” an opportunity to tell both a high-stakes sports story and a sprawling family drama.
Find AMC “Thunder Road” Casting Calls on Project Casting
As Thunder Road moves through production, performers and entertainment professionals can follow Project Casting for potential casting calls, acting opportunities, background roles, and production jobs connected to the series.
Project Casting helps actors, models, content creators, crew members, and other entertainment professionals discover opportunities across television, film, commercials, and digital productions.
Whether you are looking for your next acting role or want to stay informed about major projects currently in production, Project Casting makes it easier to discover opportunities across the entertainment industry.
Apply now on Project Casting and discover your next entertainment opportunity.
