“Six Feet Under” fans, take note: A new series about a family-run funeral business is in the works. Deadline reports that Jamie Lee Curtis has signed on to star, co-write, and executive produce “Quality of Life,” a multi-camera comedy that’s currently in development at CBS.
Described as a “multi-generational sitcom” about the family’s funeral home and “the unique perspective that growing up in a funeral home gives you,” the pilot will be co-written by Curtis and Janis Hirsch (“Will & Grace,” “Murphy Brown”).
While “Quality of Life” sounds like a lighter, more network-friendly take on the family biz than “Six Feet Under,” we can still expect some dark humor given its subject matter. It’s also great to see a series led by an actress who’s nearly 60 (Curtis is 58). As a recent study from the Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film reported, “Few characters of either sex age into their 60s and beyond.” In the 2016–17 season, just four percent of male characters and two percent of females were 60 or above on broadcast network series.
Curtis starred in Ryan Murphy’s “Scream Queens” from 2015–16. The comedic horror anthology series ran on Fox for two seasons before being cancelled. She earned an Emmy nod in 1998 for her role in “Nicholas’ Gift,” a TV movie.
Less than a week ago Curtis made headlines with the news that she’ll be returning to the “Halloween” franchise, reprising her iconic role as Laurie Strode. The latest installment of the horror series will bow October 19, 2018.
