Elizabeth Banks to Lead Apple TV Comedy Series About Retirement Community Hookups
Elizabeth Banks is lining up her next TV project, and it sounds like it’s going to be a hilariously chaotic ride. The actress and filmmaker is set to star in a new comedy series for Apple TV, coming from writers Liz Heldens and Matt Ward, and the concept is enough to perk some interest.
The untitled series centers on a woman trying to rebuild her life after things fall apart, only to get pulled into a situation she definitely didn’t see coming.
According to the official logline, “Fresh off a messy divorce, Heidi (Banks) sets out to secure a lively second act for herself and her kids. But when she stumbles into coordinating her father’s retirement community sex dates, Heidi is forced into an unlikely alliance with his girlfriend’s perpetually single son.”
That feels like the kind of story that is primed for awkward encounters, sharp comedy, and a lot of unexpected heart.
Behind the scenes, Heldens and Ward are pulling double duty as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. Banks is also executive producing alongside Max Handelman and Krissy Wall under Brownstone Productions.
Jonathan Krisel is set to direct the pilot and will also executive produce. The project is backed by 20th Television, where Heldens has an overall deal.
Production is expected to kick off in Los Angeles later this year.
Banks has been everywhere lately, and she doesn’t seem to be slowing down. She’s currently appearing in the Peacock series The Miniature Wife alongside Matthew Macfadyen, and recently starred in the Amazon series The Better Sister with Jessica Biel.
On the film side, she’s carved out a pretty impressive career with roles in the Hunger Games, LEGO Movie, and Pitch Perfect franchises. She also stepped behind the camera to direct Cocaine Bear, which turned out to be a big hit, and has produced projects like Shrill and the comedy Bottoms.
Heldens brings serious TV credibility to the table as well. She’s the co-creator and co-showrunner of Will Trent, which continues to perform well and was recently renewed for a fifth season. Her past work includes creating The Big Leap, The Passage, and Mercy, along with writing on Friday Night Lights and The Dropout.
Ward has collaborated with Heldens before on Mercy and The Big Leap, and more recently worked on the Fox series Best Medicine, based on Doc Martin, where he serves as a co-executive producer.