Julia Roberts is attached to star in and produce a television adaptation of Maria Semple’s bestselling novel “Today Will Be Different” as a limited series. Semple is writing the adaptation.
Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Television is set to produce. It will mark the first series under the company’s new TV initiative, which is being led by Ellison and President of Television Sue Naegle. Roberts will produce the series through her Red Om Films banner with Semple, Ellison, and Naegle serving as Executive Producers.
“Today Will Be Different” follows Eleanor Flood, who is, according to the project’s official description, “admittedly a bit of a mess, as she decides that today is the day to tackle the little things that she has been neglecting. Of course, life gets in the way of success as a fake-sick son, errant husband, and a former colleague with bomb-dropping memoir derail her modest plan. Taking place over the course of one day, ‘Today Will Be Different’ is a hilarious, heart-filled story about reinvention, sisterhood, and how sometimes it takes facing up to our former selves to truly begin living.”
“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!” said Semple.
This will mark a return to the television medium for Roberts. She appeared in the 2014 HBO television movie “The Normal Heart.” Roberts turning to TV is indicative of the trend of film actresses finding more fulfilling roles on television. Actresses like Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Meryl Streep have turned to TV recently, perhaps uninspired by the film environment.
Ellison has been selected by the Producers Guild of America as the 2017 recipient of the Visionary Award. The producer, whose credits include “20th Century Women,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” and “Her,” will accept the honor at the 28th annual Producers Guild Awards, to be held January 28 in Beverly Hills.
