NBC PRESENTS ‘SUBMERGED,’ TWO-HOUR MOVIE ON MAY 20 BASED ON REAL-LIFE RESCUE OF TRAPPED U.S. SAILORS ON A SUNKEN SUB Golden Globe nominee Sam Neill (“Merlin”) Heads the Cast which also Includes Shea Whigham (“Tigerland”), Emily Procter (NBC’s “The West Wing”) and James B. Sikking (“Hill Street Blues”) To Be Telecast on Sunday, May 20 (9-11 p.m. ET) on NBC Three-time Golden Globe nominee Sam Neill (“Reilly, Ace of Spies,” “One Against the Wind”) -- who is also known worldwide for his starring roles in “Jurassic Park” and “Merlin” -- will star as Lt. Cmdr. Charles “Swede” Momsen, the man behind the U. S. Navy’s submarine rescue, in NBC’s “Submerged” a two-hour action-thriller movie on Sunday, May 20 (9-11 p.m. ET). Also starring are Shea Whigham (“Tigerland”), Emily Procter (NBC’s “The West Wing”) and James B. Sikking (“Hill Street Blues,” “Doogie Howser, MD”), which was filmed at Cinecitta Studios in Rome and the Mediterranean Film Studios in Malta. Inspired by the true story grippingly detailed New York Times bestseller, “The Terrible Hours,” by renowned author Peter Maas (“Serpico,” “The Valachi Papers”), “Submerged” vividly re-creates the moment-by-moment account of the sinking and rescue of the Squalus, then America's newest submarine, on the eve of World War II. The action-thriller is a production of Once Upon a Time Films and Stanley M. Brooks (“Behind the Mask,” “Dollar for the Dead”) is the executive producer. Humanitas Prize winner James Keach (“A Winner Never Quits”) is the director and Scott Anderson (“The Abduction”) is the supervising producer. The teleplay (final writing credits not yet determined) was adapted from Maas' book by Edward Khmara (“Ladyhawke,” “Merlin”) and Humanitas Prize winner John Pielmeier (“Agnes of God,” “Choices of the Heart”). “This project has a riveting storyline that was just waiting to be told,” said Steve White, NBC Executive Vice President, Movies and Miniseries. “Recent current events only emphasize what a dangerous and challenging task these men perform – often at a tremendous cost to their wives and families.” “Submerged” was in development even before the tragedy of the Russian submarine Kursk last August. However, those events provide a contemporary reference that makes the 1939 plunge of the Squalus even more harrowing, as the fate of the crew hung in the balance below the icy waters of the North Atlantic. On May 23, 1939, the “Squalus” (named for a species of shark) was on a test dive off Portsmouth, New Hampshire, when its rear compartments suddenly flooded, plunging the sub 243 feet to the bottom of the ocean. Miraculously, 33 of the 57 crewmembers under the command of Capt. Oliver Naquin (Whigham) survived the initial crash, but they faced near freezing conditions, rising carbon monoxide levels and an oxygen supply that could only last about 48 hours. While their loved ones waited in unbearable tension on shore, the crew's fate ultimately depended upon one man -- U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles "Swede" Momsen (Neill) -- an extraordinary combination of a visionary, scientist and man of action. Everything that could possibly save a trapped submariner – new deep-sea diving techniques, artificial lungs and a rescue chamber – were the direct result of Momsen's pioneering and personally risky work. However, they had never been used in an actual undersea catastrophe. Now, under the worst possible circumstances, including fickle weather, frigid water and at a depth thought unreachable, Rear Admiral Cyrus Cole (Sikking) agrees to put Momsen's inventions and breathtaking rescue plan to the test. Among those wives and loved ones anxiously hoping for news of the rescue is Frances Naquin (Procter), the captain’s wife, who gathers and supports the waiting women at her home, regardless of the rank of their imperiled men. Neill, who returns to NBC after starring in the title role of the critically acclaimed and highly rated miniseries, “Merlin,” is no stranger to submarines, having starred in the hit feature film “The Hunt for Red October.” However, movie audiences most often recognize him from his starring roles in a pair of 1993 films, Steven Spielberg's “Jurassic Park” and the critically hailed “The Piano.” Among Neill’s dozens of other film credits are “My Brilliant Career,” “Plenty,” “A Cry in the Dark,” “Dead Calm,” “Sirens,” “Restoration,” “Event Horizon,” “The Horse Whisperer,” “Children of the Revolution,” “The Dish” and the upcoming “Jurassic Park 3.” Neill’s performances in the TV movies “Reilly, Ace of Spies” and “One Against the Wind” earned him Golden Globe nominations. Neill’s additional television work includes the movies “The Blood of Others,” “Fever,” “Snow White: A Tale of Terror,” as well as the miniseries “Kane and Abel,” “Amerika,” “Family Pictures” and “In Cold Blood.” His voice was also heard as a cat burglar in an episode of “The Simpsons.” Whigham came to the attention of film audiences with his performance in the Joel Schumacher Vietnam- era feature film “Tigerland.” This season, Procter began her recurring role on NBC’s Emmy-winning “The West Wing,” as Ainsley Hayes, the Republican lawyer hired to work in the Democratic White House. Among her film credits are “Jerry Maguire” and “Leaving Las Vegas.” She also co-starred in the cable movie “Breast Men.” Director James Keach has worked over the years as an actor, writer, producer and director. He directed the critically hailed film, “The Stars Fell on Henrietta” in association with Clint Eastwood’s Malpaso Productions, along with “Camouflage” and “False Identity.” Keach executive-produced and co-wrote “The Long Riders” (in which he also starred as Jesse James) and “Armed and Dangerous.” For television, Keach co-wrote and directed the cable movie “The Forgotten,” which received a CableAce Award. He also received two Western Heritage Awards for Best Director for the series “The Young Riders,” which he also produced. In addition, Keach co-produced “A Winner Never Quits,” which received a Humanitas Prize. Keach and his wife, actress Jane Seymour, are partners in Catfish Productions, where they have produced the highly rated television movies (which Keach directed and in which Seymour starred) “The Absolute Truth,” “A Marriage of Convenience,” “Murder in the Mirror,” “A Passion for Justice” and “Blackout.” With his company Once Upon a Time Films, executive producer Stanley M. Brooks has been responsible for numerous television films, including “Too Close to Home,” “Outlaw Justice,” “Dollar for the Dead,” “Blackout,” “Quints,” “The Ultimate Christmas Present,” “Jailbait” and “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story.” His film “Behind the Mask” earned Brooks the Michael Landon Award from the California Governor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons. CAST (Role – Player): Charles “Swede” Momsen – Sam Neill; Admiral Cyrus Cole – James B. Sikking; Captain Oliver Naquin – Shea Whigham; Frances Naquin – Emily Procter; Betty Cole – Jenna Harrison; Mrs. Vance – Tara Hugo; Harold Preble – Vincenzo Riotta; Mate Carol Pierce – Michael Devorson; Seaman Lawrence Gainor – Alex McSweeney; Mabel Gainor – Justine Mattera; Gerry Mclees – Kalen Keach; Lt. Commander Fortis – John Peilmeier