“One Mississippi” collaborators Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allyne will bring “Ellen” head writer Lauren Pomerantz’s story to the big screen. The married couple are making their feature directorial debut with the untitled comedy, which will “explore the complicated and oftentimes wonderfully ridiculous dynamics of female friendship, self-discovery, and societal expectations.” Deadline broke the news.
Penned by Pomerantz, the script is “mostly autobiographical” and follows “thirtysomethings Lucy and Jane who have been best friends their entire lives,” the source details. “They’ve learned pretty much everything about life and each other from one another. Below the surface, however, are things unknown, or at least not quite accepted, which Lucy hides from Jane and — herself. Only when Lucy embarks on a personal journey, will she face a test of her friendship, and her sense of self, on a path she may not be entirely ready to take.”
Gloria Sanchez and Level Forward are producing. The pic is slated to start filming in LA in early 2020.
“Nothing interests me more than a character whose self-determination, curiosity, and bravery is directed inward, igniting the possibility to awaken one’s true authentic self,” said Allynne.
Pomerantz joked, “If I had known that coming out would lead to getting to work with Tig, Stephanie, and this producing team, I would’ve come out so much sooner. But then I wouldn’t have had this story to tell, and I am so excited that they are helping me tell it.”
“One Mississippi” was cancelled after two seasons by Amazon. The semi-autobiographical comedy saw Notaro’s character returning to her childhood home to deal with the unexpected death of her mother. Allynne starred alongside Notaro and both served as writers.
Notaro and Pomerantz have a feature with Netflix on the way. Titled “First Ladies,” the political comedy is based on their original pitch and centers on the first woman to serve as U.S. president (Jennifer Aniston) and her wife (Notaro).
