NBC’s Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist adds Mary Steenburgen to cast
Deadline reports that Academy Award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen (Melvin and Howard) has been tapped to star in NBC‘s upcoming musical comedy-drama pilot titled Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. She is set to portray the role of Zoey’s mother Maggie, who will try her best to keep her family together. The pilot will also star Jane Levy (Suburgatory) as the titular character, Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) as Max and Alex Newell (Glee) as Mo.
Steenburgen is best known for her critically-acclaimed role as Lynda West Dummar in the 1980 dramedy Melvin and Howard which had earned her an Oscar and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has appeared in many popular films such as Parenthood, Back to the Future Part III, Philadephia, I Am Sam, Elf, The Proposal, and The Help. Her notable TV credits include Tender is the Night, Ink, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Joan of Arcadia, Orange is the New Black and The Last Man on Earth.
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Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist follows the story of a whip-smart but socially awkward girl in her late 20’s, Zoey (Levy) who is suddenly able to hear the innermost thoughts of people around her as songs and even big musical numbers that they perform just for her. With this new ability at her disposal, she is able to use her “gift” to not only help herself understand people in her life, but also to help others around her.
Written by Austin Winsberg, the pilot will be directed by Richard Shepard. It will be co-produce by Universal Music Group and Lionsgate TV. Emmy Award nominee Paul Feig was supposed to be the director but due to conflicting schedules, he withdrew from the show’s directorial duties. However, Feig will still be involved in the pilot as the series’ executive producer through his FeigCo banner along with creator Austin Winsberg, David Blackman, Daniel Inkeles, Jason Wang, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum.
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Levy is best known for her role as Tessa Altman in ABC’s sitcom Suburgatory. She recently starred in Hulu’s horror anthology adaptation of Stephen King’s Castle Rock starring alongside Sissy Spacek, Bill Skarsgård, and André Holland.
