HBO Max is expanding its slate with a new ensemble series devoted to family life, to grief, and to the ties that can risk snapping under pressure. After evaluating the pilot, the platform has ordered 15 episodes of How To Survive Without Me, a one-hour family dramedy that boasts a top-tier cast led by Ray Romano, Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson, and Rita Wilson. A release date has not yet been set (Kaley Cuoco is currently expecting and, likely, filming will have to wait a few months). Still, several details about the plot and the cast are already known.
The Plot of How To Survive Without Me
The series is the creation of Greg Berlanti and Berlanti Productions, and it follows the De Angelis family as they are compelled to redefine their balance after the death of the matriarch Beverly. The story begins with Beverly’s passing, a central figure for the family. In the wake of her loss, the De Angelis members gradually drift apart, confronting complicated, ever-evolving lives that seem hard to manage without her guidance. Beverly, however, left behind one final project. Even after her death, she somehow manages to keep the family together. To complete what will be her last endeavor, the De Angelis must find the time and, above all, the willingness to stay united, supporting one another through the challenges ahead. At the heart of the series will therefore be the relationships among the family members and the way each of them copes with grief, secrets, and the changes in their lives.
The Kaley Cuoco and Joshua Jackson Characters
Kaley Cuoco, best known for the role of Penny in The Big Bang Theory, will play Kate, the eldest daughter of the De Angelis clan.
Kate has inherited from her mother the traits of perfection, elegance, and a remarkable talent for organization. She works as an interior designer and tries to balance her career with marriage and motherhood, projecting to the outside world an image of a woman who seems to have every aspect of her life under control. Behind this flawless facade, however, lie wounds and personal issues that Kate has never fully confronted.
Joshua Jackson, who is best remembered for his role as Pacey in Dawson’s Creek but who has appeared in many series in recent years, will portray Cooper De Angelis, a chef who appears self-assured as he stands on the verge of a major entrepreneurial venture. Cooper is about to launch a new culinary business and carries with him part of his mother’s legacy, tied to her culinary philosophy. He comes across as charming and confident, yet he hides a secret that could threaten everything he has built—his friendships, and his career.
The Other Characters and the Rest of the Cast
Ray Romano will play Leo De Angelis, the patriarch. Widowed, Leo suddenly finds himself as a touchstone for his five grown children, a role he did not truly inhabit while Beverly was alive. Rita Wilson will portray Beverly, the matriarch whose presence continues to influence the family even after her death. The main cast also includes Julia Schlaepfer as Liz, alongside Jack Ball, Kylar Miranda, Julian Grey, Scarlett Abinante, Tommy Dewey, Matthew Kellison, Colette Porch and Ella Rubin. Among the guest stars are Dar Zuzovsky, Genevieve Angelson, Joe Romano, Katie Aselton, Katie Monds, Kevin Changaris, Pressley Hosbach, Richard Blackmon, Sofía Rodríguez-Toymil, and Will Yun Lee.
For Greg Berlanti, How To Survive Without Me also marks a return to a genre that helped shape the start of his career. The series was written by Berlanti and Bash Doran, based on a story developed together with Robbie Rogers. Berlanti emphasized that the project has become personal thanks to the involvement of his own family and the experiences used as inspiration.
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