The 'Philomena' star will tackle the lead role, which is now made a British expatriate, in the comedy pilot that will be filmed in late this year.
- Oct 23, 2014
AceShowbiz - Showtime is moving forward with "Happyish" after Philip Seymour Hoffman's death left the show on the bubble. The comedy now has found a replacement for the late actor, hiring Steve Coogan to take over the lead role.
The BAFTA Award-winning actor will portray Thom Payne, a 44-year-old British expatriate whose world is thrown into disarray when he gets a new 25-year-old "wunderkind" boss, who says things like "digital," "social" and "viral."
His mentor and boss tells him to "rebrand" himself, his corporate headhunter tells him happiness is a myth, and Thom isn't sure if his Viagra will interfere with his Prozac, or vice versa. Rhys Ifans and Kathryn Hahn were cast alongside Hoffman, but it's unclear if any of them will return.
"Happyish" was created, written and executive produced by "This American Life" contributor Shalom Auslander. He said of the British actor, "Steve's range is astounding - he is a comedy legend, a gifted satirist, and he possesses the unique combination of talents this role demands."
The comedy was picked up to series by Showtime in January, but only the pilot that had been filmed before Hoffman's passing on February 2. Now the project will go back to the pilot stage. The pilot will be filmed with Coogan in December in New York.
Coogan recently starred in comedy movie "The Trip to Italy". He earned two Oscar nominations as the writer and producer of drama movie "Philomena", in which he also starred opposite Judi Dench. The 49-year-old actor will next grace the big screen in "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb".
