HBO Max has greenlit a new family drama series starring Ray Romano, Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson, and Rita Wilson, produced by Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers.
Key facts
- •The series consists of 15 episodes for its first season.
- •Rita Wilson plays the deceased matriarch Beverly, while Ray Romano plays her widower, Leo.
- •The pilot was written by Greg Berlanti and Bash Doran, with a story by Berlanti, Doran, and Robbie Rogers.
- •The project is produced by Warner Bros. Television under an overall deal with Berlanti Productions.
- •The show received a pilot order in November and was later awarded tax credits from the California Tax Commission.
HBO Max has officially ordered a 15-episode first season of the family drama 'How to Survive Without Me.' The series, which follows the DeAngelis family after the death of their matriarch, features a lead cast including Ray Romano, Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson, and Rita Wilson. Produced by Warner Bros. Television, the project is co-created by Greg Berlanti, Robbie Rogers, and Bash Doran.
Plot and Character Details
The story centers on the DeAngelis family as they struggle to navigate their lives following the death of their matriarch, Beverly, played by Rita Wilson. Ray Romano portrays the widower, Leo, while Kaley Cuoco and Joshua Jackson play the couple's children, Kate and Cooper. According to the series logline, Beverly leaves behind a final plan designed to force her family to remain connected and support one another through life's challenges from beyond the grave.
Production and Development
The series is inspired by the personal family experiences of co-creators Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers. Berlanti, who also created the family drama 'Everwood' 25 years ago, described the project as the most personal work he has undertaken in years. The show follows a production model similar to the HBO Max medical drama 'The Pitt,' featuring a 15-episode season order. The project was initially ordered as a pilot, with development progressing through script requests and the receipt of California tax credits.
Cast and Creative Team
In addition to the lead quartet, the series features a large ensemble cast including Julia Schlaepfer, Jack Ball, Kylar Miranda, Julian Grey, Scarlett Abinante, Tommy Dewey, Matthew Kellison, Colette Porch, and Ella Rubin. Guest stars include Dar Zuzovsky, Genevieve Angelson, Joe Romano, Katie Aselton, Katie Monds, Kevin Changaris, Pressley Hosbach, Richard Blackmon, Sofía Rodríguez-Toymil, and Will Yun Lee. The executive production team includes Berlanti, Rogers, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Bash Doran, Ryan O’Connell, and director Daniel Minahan.
Timeline
- NovemberHBO Max issued a pilot order for the project.
- FebruaryThe pilot was officially ordered into development.
- MarchThe project was awarded tax credits from the California Tax Commission.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline.
