Nia Vardalos has booked her next TV role. The writer, director, and actress will star in a dramedy series for Bravo, tentatively titled “Suburbs Famous.” Vardalos will portray a suburban housewife who becomes the unwitting star of a viral video, Deadline confirms.
“Thrust into the cutthroat world of celebrity chefs, the newly divorced mom must navigate between the intense public scrutiny which could destroy her and the investors who want to make her a star… all while realizing she suddenly has the one thing everyone wants: power,” the source summarizes.
Vardalos took inspiration from viral video star Chewbacca Mom when she began work on “Suburbs Famous.” “I wanted to explore the concept of sudden fame for someone who isn’t prepared and doesn’t want it, for someone who gets power and doesn’t know what to do with it, as well as what happens next,” she explained.
The “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” writer-star’s own experiences with fame also helped shape “Suburbs Famous.” “I worked hard to maintain my normal, average life every day, not wanting a personal assistant for example,” Vardalos recalled of her post-big break life. “You have struggles to maintain your ethics, morals, and friendships.”
“Suburbs Famous” is penned by Vardalos and Mike Mariano (“Raising Hope”). The duo will serve as EPs on the show alongside Untitled Entertainment’s Jennifer Levine and Stephanie Simon and Flame Ventures’ Tony Krantz. Krantz is also producing, as are ITV Studios America and Universal Cable Productions.
Vardalos wrote the 2002 box office hit “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and its 2016 follow-up, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.” She appeared as protagonist Toula in both films. In 2009 Vardalos made her directorial debut with the romantic comedy “I Hate Valentine’s Day,” which she also penned. Her recent screen roles include “Star vs. the Forces of Evil,” “Graves,” and Shondaland series “The Catch.” You can see Vardalos next with Sandra Oh, Emily Watson, and Melora Hardin (“Transparent”) in “33 Liberty Lane,” an upcoming comedy about four friends who launch a phone-sex company.
“Tiny Beautiful Things,” Vardalos’ play adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s book of the same name, will return to New York’s Public Theater September 19. Vardalos stars as Sugar, the anonymous persona Strayed employed when she worked as The Rumpus’ advice columnist.
