Here’s some fun news to break up all the bad: Julia Roberts has reportedly signed on to star in her first-ever television series and by all accounts, it should be pretty great.
Variety reports that Roberts will star in a limited series show based on former Arrested Development producer and writer Maria Semple’s latest book Today Will Be Different. The plot features a very busy day in the life of Eleanor Flood, a nice lady in Seattle who decides to tackle all the things she’s been needing to do but finds herself derailed by a variety of factors including her son faking illness to spend time with her, her husband going on freaking vacation without telling her and the appearance of an old colleague with a memoir that features a deep, dark family secret that if revealed will be ruinous. Sounds like a lot, I know, but trust me—the book is a zippy little read, very funny and quite enjoyable.
Somehow I’m surprised that Jules hasn’t made it to TV yet, but this sounds like an excellent vehicle for her first foray. Semple will be writing the adaptation herself, so none of the nuances of her genuinely delightful novel will be lost.
Semple is the author of Where Did You Go, Bernadette, which you probably read in book club a couple years ago and really, really enjoyed. That book is also being made into a film, starring Cate Blanchett and directed by Richard Linklater.
“I’m giddy that Eleanor Flood will be brought to life by Julia Roberts and am elated to collaborate with Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, and the team at Annapurna on this endeavor,” Semple said in a statement. “This will be a fun ride!” Frankly, Maria, I agree!
