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HBO Max has given a 15-episode order to “How to Survive Without Me,” a family drama starring Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson, Ray Romano and Rita Wilson.
Beginning as a pilot ordered in February, the series was co-created
by husbands Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers along with frequent collaborator Bash Doran, and inspired by their own family experiences. The official description reads, “In the wake of matriarch Beverly’s 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, a series regular role, will be played by Wilson, while Romano plays her widower, Leo, and Cuoco and Jackson play their children, Kate and Cooper. The cast also includes Julia Schlaepfer, Jack Ball, Kylar Miranda, Julian Grey, Scarlett Abinante, Tommy Dewey, Matthew Kellison, Colette Porch and Ella Rubin as series regulars while 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.
Berlanti and Doran wrote the pilot for “How to Survive Without Me. Executive producers include Berlanti, Rogers, Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman via Berlanti Productions; Doran; Ryan O’Connell; and director Daniel Minahan. Warner Bros. Television, where Berlanti Productions is under an overall deal.
“The first show I ever created was a family drama, almost exactly 25 years before this one was picked up,” said Berlanti in a statement, referring to “Everwood” on the WB. “It’s been incredibly emotional to return to this kind of storytelling and I’m so grateful to Casey, Sarah, Joey and everyone at HBO Max for asking, to Channing, Brett and Clancy and the Warner Bros. team, and finally our brilliant cast — Ray, Kaley, Josh, Rita and the rest of our extraordinary ensemble and crew. To also co-create it with Bash and my husband, Robbie, and draw from our own families’ experiences of love and loss has made the whole show the most personal thing I’ve worked on in years.”
“Ray Romano, Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson and Rita Wilson lead a dream cast perfect for this emotional, extraordinary story,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of HBO Max original programming. “We’re delighted to be in business again with Greg and our partners at Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.”
“All of us at Warner Bros. Television are thrilled to have another new series from our brilliant partner Greg Berlanti and his team,” added Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO or Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks. “This is an incredible cast bringing to life a deeply personal, heartfelt story — one filled with laughter, and the kind of warmth that makes it instantly relatable. We are excited to be part of this next chapter with HBO Max and can’t wait to bring this beautiful story to fruition.”
