Kris Kristofferson Cast as Andrew Jackson in History's TEXAS RISING

Renowned singer, songwriter and film actor, Kris Kristofferson has been cast as President Andrew Jackson, in HISTORY's eight-hour television event, TEXAS RISING. The event series, premiering in 2015, will detail the Texas Revolution against Mexico and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers.

During the Texas Revolution, President Jackson avoided direct U.S. involvement, unwilling to risk open war against Mexico as he continued to monitor the political situation. But Jackson was a mentor to and admirer of General Sam Houston and he realized the fate of Texas would profoundly influence the future of the United States.

"This iconic story and role really needed an American who is able to command the screen and captivate audiences," said Leslie Greif, CEO & Founder of Thinkfactory Media. "For me Kris was an obvious choice, there aren't too many actors that are able to embody this character and the stature, strength and liberty to play the part. We are currently in the midst of production and when I announced to the cast and crew that we got Kris - the set erupted in loud cheers and everyone was yelling, 'yee-haw,' we are blessed and thrilled that he enthusiastically jumped on board."

Kristofferson has acted in more than 70 films. In 1977 He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in A STAR IS BORN. He's appeared in cult favorites including the BLADE trilogy, LONE STAR, A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER NEVER CRIES, ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, BLUME IN LOVE, CISCO PIKE, PAT GARRETT and BILLY THE KID. Recent films include FAST FOOD NATION, DREAMER: INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY, THE JACKET, SILVER CITY, HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU and DOLPHIN TALE.

TEXAS RISING is co-produced by A+E Studios and ITV Studios America, and produced by Thinkfactory Media for HISTORY. Leslie Greif serves as executive producer for Thinkfactory Media. Dirk Hoogstra, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Julian P. Hobbs serve as executives in charge of production for HISTORY.

About HISTORY®
HISTORY®, now reaching more than 98 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network's all-original programming slate, including scripted event programming, features a roster of hit series including American Pickers®, American Restoration™, Ax Men™, Counting Cars™, Pawn Stars®, Swamp People® and The Legend of Shelby the Swamp Man as well as HISTORY®'s first scripted series Vikings, and epic miniseries and special programming such as The Bible and the Emmy® Award-winning Hatfields & McCoys, Men Who Built America, Gettysburg, Vietnam in HD, America The Story of Us® and 102 Minutes That Changed America. The HISTORY® website is the leading online resource for all things history, and in 2011, the United States Library of Congress selected HISTORY®'s Civil War 150 site for inclusion in the historic collection of Internet materials related to the American Civil War sesquicentennial. www.history.com. For more press information and photography, please visit us at http://press.aenetworks.com

About A+E Studios
A+E Studios is the in-house production arm of the award-winning global media company A+E Networks, LLC. A+E Studios commissions, creates and co-produces content across all networks and platforms under the A+E Networks portfolio, including A&E® Network, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, LMN®, FYI™, H2™ and A&E IndieFilms®.

About Thinkfactory Media
Thinkfactory Media is a full-service production company that creates high-quality entertainment content. Renowned for award-winning productions, the company was the driving force behind the Emmy® and Golden Globe®-nominated hit mini-series Hatfields & McCoys (History), starring Kevin Costner. They are currently in production on numerous projects including an unscripted series that focus' on the arena football team, LA KISS (AMC) and it's owners Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons (KISS). Their hit series Marriage Boot Camp (We tv) just wrapped season 2 and Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars starring infamous reality stars, premieres on May 30. Other recent credits include: Preachers' Daughters (Lifetime), The Hook Up (MTV), Spell-Mageddon (ABC Family), Prank My Mom (Lifetime), Gene Simmons: Family Jewels (A&E) and Tony Danza: Teach (A&E), among others. Find out more about Thinkfactory Media and its projects at www.ThinkfactoryMedia.com and follow them on Twitter at @TFactoryMedia.

About ITV Studios America:
ITV Studios America, the U.S. based production entity of ITV Studios in the UK, is one of the largest producers in the U.S. and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing reality and scripted programming for U.S. networks. It has a slate of series in production with major networks and syndicators, including Texas Rising, The Good Witch, Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, The First 48, After the First 48, #RichKids of Beverly Hills, Cesar 911, The Chase, Four Weddings, Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters, The Car Chasers, The Bill Cunningham Show and America Now.

Part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK's largest commercial broadcaster, ITV Studios is a global leader in television production and distribution. It has international production centers in the UK, Germany, France, the Nordics, Australia and America. In America the ITV Studios US Group business comprises of acquired companies, Gurney Productions, High Noon Entertainment, Thinkfactory Media, DiGa Vision and Leftfield Entertainment. It also includes ITV Studios America, the flagship U.S production company. ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) is one of the world's leading international TV distribution, home entertainment, publishing, merchandising and licensing businesses. For further information visit: www.itvstudios.com/us

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