Hulu will soon be producing the comedy series Shrill, which is based on a memoir that was released two years ago from author Lindy West. The story, although already attached to some very recognizable names, has just gained another, as actress Julia Sweeney is set to co-star on the program as the mother of the main character, Annie.
Sweeney is in great company on the production, as Annie will be played by Aidy Bryant, a current SNL featured player who has been with the show since 2012. She has also had roles in movies like The Big Sick and Amy Schumer’s I Feel Pretty, as well as also appearing in a few television episodes in shows like Girls and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Aidy is set to play the main character of the series, Annie, a woman who, despite being very overweight, wants to evolve without shedding pounds.
This is a relatively unexplored plot line in television, as many overweight characters instead accept the fact that they are unhappy with their physical makeup, attributing it to both physical and emotional problems, and take the steps to change that. This can, however, prove to be incredibly difficult, with setbacks and emotional hurdles around every corner. This theme is even prevalent in shows that simply follow real people around and depict the difficulties that come with everyday activities because of their weight.
Shrill, however, seems as though it will be taking a much lighter spin on the otherwise-heavy topic, allowing fans to laugh alongside Annie. After all, the series will be a comedy, and has the potential to be hilarious due to both Aidy’s presence, as well as that of the show’s executive producer, Lorne Michaels. Michaels is a staple in comedic television, and has been for more than 40 years. Having created, executive produced, and managed decades of Saturday Night Live episodes, Michaels’s name is nearly a synonym for comedic television. He has also served as producer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, 30 Rock, and many more.
As if the SNL connection was not deeply rooted enough for future fans of Shrill, the latest addition to the cast, Julia Sweeney, is likely to be familiar to fans of the new program, as she was also a cast member on the sketch comedy show for 4 years. In addition, Sweeney also went on to star in It’s Pat, a movie in which she played Pat, a character that was original to her and first appeared as a semi-regular figure on SNL.
Having the tight bonds that they do, those at Shrill have the definite potential to make a wildly funny series, and will likely provoke immense anticipation and high expectations from those waiting for the series to air. The first season of the show will premiere on Hulu for a six-episode run.