Nearly 20 years after playing sisters on “Friends,” Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are teaming up for another project. The pair are attached to star in and executive produce an untitled series set in the world of morning talk shows and the wider New York media scene, The Hollywood Reporter writes.
Described by the source as “one of the largest TV packages to date” — and understandably so, these are two huge names — the project is expected to be shopped to premium cable outlets such as HBO and streaming services like Netflix. It’s pretty much guaranteed to cause a bidding war.
The untitled show “is based on an original idea and is being spearheaded by former HBO head of drama Michael Ellenberg and his newly launched film and TV production company Media Res,” THR writes. Jay Carson (“House of Cards”) will pen the script and is also among the project’s executive producers.
Witherspoon just had a super successful run on the small screen with HBO’s critically acclaimed murder-mystery “Big Little Lies.” It’s uncertain if the ratings hit will return for a second season. The Oscar winner is up for an Emmy for her role. Aniston scored an Emmy in 2002 for “Friends.” Witherspoon guest-starred in two episodes of the iconic sitcom in 2002.
“Big Little Lies,” “Wild,” and “Gone Girl” are among Witherspoon’s producing credits. Aniston’s include “Cake” and “The Switch.”
Witherspoon recently revealed that she faced resistance — and sexism — when she first decided to start working behind-the-scenes as a producer. “I really reject the idea that women have to stay in one life,” she explained. “People have said, ‘You can’t start a company; just stay being an actress.’ Why are women supposed to be one thing? Nobody thinks Robert De Niro is stepping outside [his boundaries by] owning hotels and restaurants. Life has many chapters. You have to think, what am I going to do next?”