After wrapping her Wonder Woman sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, actress Gal Gadot will be playing Hedy Lamarr, who has been called the real-life Jewish “Wonder Woman,” in the new Showtime limited series. According to TV Guide, rumors about Gadot’s involvement in the show have been circling Hollywood since 2018.
Lamarr was originally born in Austria before starting her career in Czechoslovakia in the early 1930s. She later moved to Paris, leaving her husband, who was wealthy Austrian ammunitions manufacturer. She later moved to London, and while there she met Louis B. Mayer, who at the time was the studio head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He offered her a movie contract in Hollywood, where she starred in films such as Algiers, Boom Town, I Take This Woman, Comrade X, Come Live With Me, H.M. Pulham, Esq., and Samson and Delilah. These films allowed her to star alongside Hollywood elite including Judy Garland, Spencer Tracy, Jimmy Stewart, and many others. She was also dubbed “The Most Beautiful Woman In The World.” During her time in Hollywood, she starred in what is regarded as the first nude scene outside of pornography. She later revealed that she felt conned into doing this scene.
While Lamarr is known for her work in Hollywood, she was also a successful inventor. At the beginning of World War II she and George Antheil, a composer, developed a radio guidance system for the Allied torpedoes. This invention led to what the military refers to today as frequency hopping radio transmissions. These transmissions allow people to hide what they are saying on the radio without enemies listening it. Their work was later incorporated into Bluetooth technology and WiFi. Then, back in 2014, the duo were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
According to Entertainment Weekly, this small screen limited series will explore the rise and fall of feminism in the American landscape during World War II and what is known as the Golden Age of Hollywood. The series is aiming to find clues for who we are now, based on Larmarr’s life and legacy.
According to Vanity Fair, Showtime shared the news of the show during Friday’s Television Critics Association press tour panel, but they never disclosed the official name of the series or when it will premiere. The series will be written and executive produced by Sarah Treem, who co-created The Affair. Joining her as executive producers will be Warren Littlefield, who has worked on The Handmaid’s Tale, and Kate Robbins, who worked on The Last Tycoon. Treem figured out how to tell Lamarr’s story that sparked Gadot’s interest too, and due to Treem’s relationship with Showtime she took the idea to them.
Showtime’s President of Entertainment, Jana Winograde, stated, “The life of Hedy Lamarr was truly fascinating one. She stood at the forefront of many issues that challenge women and our society today. In Gal Gadot, we have found the transcendent actress to portray the deeply complex Lamarr. And with the award-winning talents of Sarah Treem and Warren Littlefield, this is going to be a special series.”
Showtime’s head Gary Levine stated, “It’s a learning curve for us as we learn about this woman. The writers room is just gathering and just hired researchers this week.”
Gal Gadot will star in the show as well as executive produce it with her producing partner and husband, Jaron Varsano.
Photo credit: Raymond Flotat