HBO released new trailer for its upcoming COVID-19 pandemic satire television special, Coastal Elites, as reported via Deadline. The socially distanced comedy special stars Sarah Paulson (12 Years a Slave, Glass), Bette Midler (The First Wives Club, Hocus Pocus), Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart, Unbelievable), Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek, Admission) and Issa Rae (Insecure, Little).
Coastal Elites is centered around five unique individuals who must try and grapple with the difficulties of living under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a logline for the new show as provided by HBO:
“this special presentation explores our current world of deeply divided politics and the universal pursuit of human connection. When the shutdown forces these distinct and impassioned people with varying points-of-view across the United States to cope in isolation, they react with frustration, hilarity, and introspection.”
The special was originally written for the Public Theater in New York, but was forced to transition to the small screen after the pandemic struck the city hard earlier this year. Playwright and screenwriter Paul Rudnick (Sister Act, The Stepford Wives) and director Jay Roach (Trumbo, Meet the Fockers) quickly moved to adapt the story for the small screen instead, which also allowed the two to retroactively add more relevant material.
Speaking in Variety, Rudnick talks about the challenges of working on such a timely project:
“I didn’t want the material to feel instantly dated, so I tried to be very careful about references[.] Things are so crazy that when you think about three months ago it feels like a lifetime and people are almost nostalgic for February. I wanted to reflect that sense of being overwhelmed by every possible event so it would feel emotionally valid at any point. I think it could be working as a time capsule of Americans’ lives.”
Both Rudnick and Roach are executive producers on Coastal Elites, alongside Jeffrey Seller (Hamilton, Rent), Flody Suarez (Rise, The Tick), Scott Chaloff, and Michelle Graham (Bombshell, The Campaign).
You can check out the trailer for the new special down bellow.