Rita Wilson has joined the cast of the HBO Max drama pilot “How to Survive Without Me” in a series regular role, Variety has learned.
Wilson will appear alongside previously announced cast members Ray Romano, Joshua Jackson, Kaley Cuoco, Julia Schlaepfer, Jack Ball, Kylar Miranda, and Julian Grey.
“Rita Wilson is an extraordinary talent and the perfect actor to anchor this story,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of Max Original Programming. “We’re proud to welcome her to the incredible cast of ‘How to Survive Without Me.’”
The official logline for the show states:
“In the wake of matriarch Beverly’s (Wilson) passing, the De Angelis family have begun to drift, unsure how to manage their complicated, evolving lives without her guidance, but in true Beverly fashion, she found a way to keep running the show from the beyond. Should they wish to experience Beverly’s final work, the family must find the time — and make the effort — to remain connected and be there for each other through all of life’s challenges yet to come.”
Beverly is further described as “Elegant and loving, with an authority earned through wisdom and experience, Beverly is a prolific writer-director and a matriarch who sees her family as her greatest accomplishment. Beverly ultimately lost her battle with cancer, but in true Beverly fashion, she found a way to keep her family connected as they work through the grief of losing their mother.”
Wilson’s recent TV roles include Lena Dunham’s “Too Much” at Netflix as well as the Apple TV series “The Last Thing He Told Me.” She has also been in series like “1883,” “Pitch,” “Girls” and “The Good Wife.” She is known for her roles in films like “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Jingle All the Way,” and “Runaway Bride.” She has also produced several films, including hits like “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Mamma Mia!”
She is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and BTPR.
“I was partially inspired to create ‘How to Survive Without Me’ after losing my mother to cancer — wanting to explore grief, love, and what it means for a family to move forward after losing the matriarch at its center,” said co-writer and executive producer Greg Berlanti. “Rita Wilson has brought a singular warmth, emotional intelligence, and strength to everything she’s ever done, and I can’t think of anyone better to be at the center of this show’s family. We are thrilled for her to join Ray Romano, Josh Jackson, Kaley Cuoco and the rest of this dream cast we’ve been lucky enough to assemble.”
“How to Survive Without Me” hails from writers Berlanti and Bash Doran with a story by Berlanti, Doran, and Robbie Rogers. Berlanti, Doran, and Rogers are all executive producers on the pilot along with Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman of Berlanti Productions. WBTV, where Berlanti Productions is under an overall deal, is the studio.
“The role of Beverly is essential to the fabric of ‘How to Survive Without Me,’ and we are overjoyed to welcome the incomparable Rita Wilson,” said Clancy Collins White, president of creative affairs for Warner Bros. Television. “Her ability to bring emotional nuance and gravitas makes her uniquely suited to anchor the De Angelis family, and we couldn’t imagine a more fitting collaborator to join Greg and Bash in shaping this world.”
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