Filming begins on ESPN Yankees miniseries

NEW YORK, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner will be played by Oliver Platt and John Turturro plays Billy Martin in ESPN's miniseries, "The Bronx is Burning."

The eight-part series adapted from Jonathan Mahler's bestseller "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning," takes place during the volatile summer of 1977 that included the Son of Sam killings, a citywide blackout and a Yankees World Series championship led by manager Martin.

Joining Platt and Turturro will be Daniel Sunjata of "Rescue Me" as Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, Zap2it.com reported.

The series will hone in on the "polarization and contradictions of these central characters," ESPN's Ron Semiao said.

Director Jeremiah Chechik began shooting the production Monday with a target premiere of July 2007.