America’s sweetheart is starting to branch out. Variety has reported that Julia Roberts, known for her movie roles such as Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich, will be starring in the potential new miniseries Today Will Be Different, which is based on the book of the same name by Maria Semple.
At this point, the show doesn’t have a network or streaming service that it will air on. It’s entirely possible that a bidding war will start over the project as Roberts is an extremely well-known and successful star in Hollywood.
Semple will be writing the series after finding success in writing for shows like Arrested Development, Mad About You and Suddenly Susan.
No other casting has been announced, but there have been announcements made about the behind-the-scenes crew that will be working on the show. Megan Ellison’s production company, Annapurna Pictures, will be producing the show, making Today Will Be Different one of the first TV shows the company produces.
Roberts will serve as an executive producer along with Semple, Ellison and Sue Naegle, who also works for Annapurna Pictures.
“I’m giddy that Eleanor Flood will be brought to life by Julia Roberts and am elated to collaborate with Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, and the team at Annapurna on this endeavor. This will be a fun ride,” Semple said.
Today Will Be Different focuses on Eleanor Flood, who decides that she’s finally going to try and turn her life around. The novel itself takes place over the course of an entire day, and the show will likely do the same.
While Today Will Be Different will be Roberts’ first leading role in a TV series, it won’t exactly be her television debut. Before becoming a successful movie actress, Roberts made guest appearances in different TV shows, including Law and Order, Miami Vice and Murphy Brown, where she played herself. She also starred in Ryan Murphy’s television movie The Normal Heart, where she was nominated for an Emmy.