Kaley Cuoco is the latest cast member to join the HBO Max drama pilot “How to Survive Without Me,” Variety reports.
Cuoco will join previously announced stars Ray Romano and Joshua Jackson in the pilot. The pilot was written by screenwriters Greg Berlanti and Bash Dolan, with a story by Berlanti, Dolan, and Robbie Rogers.
The show’s logline states, “In the wake of matriarch Beverly’s death, the De Angelis family begins to drift, unsure of how to manage their complex and evolving lives without her guidance, but in true Beverly fashion, she finds someone to continue running the show from the other side. If they want to experience Beverly’s final work, the family must find the time and make the effort to stay connected and be there for each other through all of life’s challenges ahead.”
Cuoco stars as Kate, who is described as “the eldest daughter who inherited her mother’s perfectionism, grace, and organizational skills. Juggling her marriage and motherhood alongside her full-time job as an interior designer, Kate presents an image of purity to the world, but her perfect exterior hides deep scars that she has never fully addressed.”
The role marks Cuoco and Berlanti’s second collaboration and their second joint project at HBO Max. Cuoco previously starred in the streamer’s series The Flight Attendant, which was executive produced by Berlanti. Cuoco received two Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her role on the show, which also received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.
“Kaley Cuoco is an inspired choice for Kate,” said Max Original Programming Head Sarah Aubrey. “Her incredible versatility makes her perfect for this role. Her previous film with Greg Berlanti, The Flight Attendant, showcased the magic of their creative partnership, and we’re thrilled to reunite them and bring that spark back to life.”
Cuoco is best known for starring in the hit comedy The Big Bang Theory, which ended its 12th season on CBS in 2019. Her other recent television credits include HBO Max’s adult animated series “One Harley Quinn” and Peacock’s “Based on a True Story.” She currently co-stars with Sam Claflin in the MGM+ series “Vanished.”
She is repped by SDB Partners, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Hansen Jacobson Teller.
Clancy Collins White, President of Creative, Warner Bros. Television, said: “Kaley has had such a rich legacy at WBTV, and we are thrilled to be working with her again on How to Survive Without Me.” “She has natural charm and an extraordinary talent for transforming roles into unforgettable characters. We can’t wait to see her powerful performance alongside Ray and Joshua in this moving story from Greg and Bash.”
Berlanti, Dolan and Rogers are all executive producers on the pilot along with Sarah Schechter and Lee London Redman of Berlanti Productions. The studio will be WBTV, which has an overall contract with Berlanti Productions.
