Rita Wilson Joins the Cast of HBO Max’s New Drama Pilot ‘How To Survive Without Me’
Rita Wilson Joins HBO Max Pilot ‘How to Survive Without Me’
Rita Wilson has been cast in a pivotal role in HBO Max’s upcoming one-hour drama pilot, How to Survive Without Me, produced by Berlanti Productions in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television.
In this new project, Wilson portrays Beverly, an elegant matriarch and accomplished writer-director who, despite losing her battle with cancer, strives to keep her family united through their grief. Beverly’s wisdom and nurturing presence serve as a guiding light for the De Angelis family, who find themselves struggling to navigate their lives without her.
The narrative picks up after Beverly’s passing, delving into the family’s challenges as they drift apart. In order to honor Beverly’s final work, they must learn to reconnect and support each other through the complexities of life ahead.
Wilson joins an ensemble cast that includes Ray Romano, Joshua Jackson, Kaley Cuoco, Julia Schlaepfer, Jack Ball, Kylar Miranda, and Julian Grey.
Greg Berlanti, the executive producer and writer, expressed his personal connection to the project, stating, “I was partially inspired to create How to Survive Without Me after losing my mother to cancer — wanting to explore grief, love, and what it means for a family to move forward after losing the matriarch at its center. Rita Wilson has brought a singular warmth, emotional intelligence, and strength to everything she’s ever done, and I can’t think of anyone better to be at the center of this show’s family."
Sarah Aubrey, Head of Max Original Programming, emphasized Wilson’s talent, noting, “Rita Wilson is an extraordinary talent and the perfect actor to anchor this story. We’re proud to welcome her to the incredible cast of How to Survive Without Me.”
Clancy Collins White, President of Creative Affairs at Warner Bros. Television, remarked on Wilson’s suitability for the role: “The role of Beverly is essential to the fabric of How to Survive Without Me, and we are overjoyed to welcome the incomparable Rita Wilson. Her ability to bring emotional nuance and gravitas makes her uniquely suited to anchor the De Angelis family."
How to Survive Without Me, co-written by Berlanti and Bash Doran, includes contributions from Robbie Rogers and is executive produced by Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, and Robbie Rogers through Berlanti Productions.
Known for her performances in classic films such as Sleepless in Seattle, Mixed Nuts, and That Thing You Do!, Wilson recently starred alongside Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe in the Netflix series Too Much. Her extensive television credits also feature roles in Girls, Full Circle, The Good Wife, Apple TV’s The Last Thing He Told Me, and Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City. She is represented by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.
