Apple TV’s Ms. American Pie has landed TV actress, comedienne, and icon, Carol Burnett (The Carol Burnett Show, Mad About You), in a leading role opposite Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live, Bridesmaids), according to The Hollywood Reporter. Burnett has been cast in the limited series based on a novel by Juliet McDaniel (Qwerty). This will be Burnett’s first role as a TV series regular since The Carol Burnett Show variety series ended in 1978.
The comedy from Dead to Me creator, Abe Sylvia, will explore the common theme of the haves and have-nots in early 1970s Palm Beach, via The Hollywood Reporter. Wiig’s Maxine Simmons is a woman whose desire to rub elbows with the elite has her attempt to secure a spot within Palm Beach’s circle of high society. While pursuing this life-long goal, the series will explore just who is welcomed to have a seat at the table, and at what cost.
The Hollywood Reporter confirms Burnett will play Norma, Palm Beach’s high society leader. She joins a cast that includes Leslie Bibb (Popular, Jupiter’s Legacy), Laura Dern (Big Little Lies, Marriage Story), Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama, The Forever Purge), Allison Janney (Mom, The Help), and Ricky Martin (American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace). Dern will also executive produce with her Jaywalker Pictures partner, Jayme Lemons (The Tale, The Way I See It), and Katie O’Connell Marsh (Hannibal, Hemlock Grove) of Boat Rocker Studios.
Sylvia will serve as writer and showrunner of the series with Apple TV Studios producing the show, via The Hollywood Reporter. Tate Taylor (Get On Up, Ma) will direct and executive produce with John Norris (Filthy Rich, Rites of Spring) of Wyolah Entertainment.