Kaley Cuoco is the latest cast member to join the HBO Max drama pilot “How to Survive Without Me,” Variety has learned.
Cuoco joins previously announced stars Ray Romano and Joshua Jackson in the pilot, which hails from writers Greg Berlanti and Bash Doran with a story by Berlanti, Doran, and Robbie Rogers.
The logline for the show states, “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.”
Cuoco will star as Kate, described as “the eldest daughter who inherited her mother’s perfectionism, elegance, and organizational prowess. Balancing her own marriage and motherhood, along with a fulltime job as an interior designer, Kate presents an immaculate image to the world — but her perfect facade masks deeper wounds she’s never fully addressed.”
The role marks the second collaboration between Cuoco and Berlanti and their second project together at HBO Max. Cuoco previously starred in the series “The Flight Attendant” at the streamer, which Berlanti executive produced. Cuoco received two Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her role in the show, and shared in the show’s Emmy nom for outstanding comedy series.
“Kaley Cuoco is an inspired choice for Kate,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of Max Original Programming. “With her incredible range, she is a perfect fit for the role. Her previous work with Greg Berlanti on ‘The Flight Attendant’ showed us the magic of their creative partnership, and we’re excited to see them reunite and capture that spark again.”
Cuoco is best known for her starring role in the megahit sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” which wrapped up its run after 12 seasons at CBS in 2019. Her other recent TV credits include the adult animated series “Harley Quinn” at HBO Max and “Based on a True Story” at Peacock. She currently stars in the MGM+ series “Vanished” alongside Sam Claflin.
She is repped by SDB Partners, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Hansen Jacobson Teller.
“Kaley has such a rich legacy at WBTV, and we’re excited to collaborate with her once again on ‘How to Survive Without Me,'” said Clancy Collins White, president of creative affairs at Warner Bros. Television. “She has a natural charm and a remarkable talent for turning roles into unforgettable characters, and we can’t wait to see her powerhouse performance alongside Ray and Joshua in this deeply moving story from Greg and Bash.”
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.
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