Development News - October 22, 2014
Showtime's Happyish and USA's Colony.
SHOWTIME's HAPPYISH
- Steve Coogan (Philomena) has been tapped to succeed the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in the lead role of the comedy project - which had received a series order in January but is now being reverted back to the pilot stage. Coogan will play Thom Payne, a middle-aged man whose world is thrown into disarray when his 25-year-old "wunderkind" boss arrives full of social and viral ideas. Is he in need of a rebranding, as his mentor insists, or does he just have a low joy ceiling as his corporate headhunter suggests? Maybe pursuing happiness is a fool's errand? Maybe, after 44 years on this ludicrous planet, settling for happish is the best one can expect.
- Ken Kwapis will direct and executive produce the new pilot. Contract options for the rest of the cast who starred alongside Hoffman in the original pilot have expired, although there is talks that Kathryn Hahn will remain as the female lead.
USA's COLONY
- The Mentalist alum Amanda Righetti will co-star on the drama pilot starring Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies. She will play Madeline, Katie's (Callies) younger sister and the mother of a diabetic child in need of insulin. She appeals to Katie for help but will do what it takes to protect her child and family in need.
