Much like the main characters in “Good Girls Revolt,” Suzanne Patmore Gibbs is a feminist force. In an interview with Deadline, the TriStar TV exec vp of original series discussed a number of female-driven projects in the works at the studio behind “Good Girls Revolt.” She also provided an update on the rumored second season of Dana Calvo’s ’60s-set women’s rights Amazon drama that was prematurely cancelled last year.
“We have heard a great Season 2 pitch and are taking it out this week and next week to several interested buyers, all of whom were incoming calls,” Patmore Gibbs revealed. “The showrunners have been in touch with the actresses, as well as our whole cast, and everybody’s very eager for a reunion.” She added, “It’s a lot different than the pitch that we walked into [Amazon Studios head Roy Price] with, because we’re unchained, which is liberating. And also, frankly, there’s so much to say about what’s going on right now … that it just feels like there’s so many relatable situations that we can cover.”
Patmore Gibbs is, of course, referring to the slew of high-profile men in Hollywood who have been accused of workplace harassment and misconduct, including Price. His dislike of “Good Girls Revolt” is reportedly why the well-rated series wasn’t picked up for a second season.
TriStar TV is developing many other woman-led projects, which are vital now more than ever, according to Patmore Gibbs. “Looking at everything that’s happened from last November [the election of Donald Trump] to now, it has made us all I think more vehement feminists,” she said, “but also just made us aware of the need for more strong female voices, more strong female roles, and giving people a way to voice their rage or their frustration.”
Anthology series “The Marriage Plot: A Reliable Wife,” “Chemistry,” a thriller based on the UK miniseries “The Politician’s Husband,” limited series “Rage for Fame,” and an untitled project about the Schuyler sisters of “Hamilton” fame are all in development at TriStar TV.
Semi Chellas and Esta Spalding are adapting “The Marriage Plot” from Robert Goolrick’s book “A Reliable Wife.” “The common theme is, how well do you know or trust your mate, or in this case, your husband? So it’s in the vein of ‘Gone Girl’ or Liane Moriarty’s ‘The Husband’s Secret,’” Patmore Gibbs hints.
“Chemistry” also tackles the darker aspects of married life. It will follow “alpha spouses” who work at the same biotech company. Their relationship begins to fall apart when the wife’s career suddenly outpaces the husband’s.
Written by Olivia Milch and Ariel Doctoroff and produced by Elizabeth Cantillon, “Rage for Fame” is the story of Clare Boothe Luce, a magazine editor, war correspondent, playwright, and politician described as equal parts Carrie Bradshaw and Cersei Lannister.
Deb Schoeneman came up with the original idea for the Schuyler sisters project, a soap that Patmore Gibbs compares to “The Crown” and “The Tudors.” It traces the American Revolution through the eyes of women like Eliza, Angelica, and Peggy Schuyler as well as Martha Washington and Betsy Ross.
Amazon has snagged “The Marriage Plot” and “Rage for Fame.” “Chemistry” is being shopped to premium cablers. No word on a home for the Schuyler sisters project yet.
Patmore Gibbs spoke about previously-announced series “LA Woman” and “On Becoming a God in Central Florida.” A collaborative effort between Lynn Shelton, Liz Tigelaar, Cantillon, and Amy Pascal, Hulu’s “LA Woman” is based on Los Angeles “it” girl Eve Babitz’s memoirs. “[Babitz] was an incredibly audacious, original character who was very in touch with her sexuality,” Patmore Gibbs explained. “She was very ahead of her time.” AMC’s black comedy “On Becoming a God in Central Florida” stars Kirsten Dunst as a young, ambitious woman working her way up a pyramid scheme company.
Before taking the lead at TriStar TV, a division of Sony Pictures TV, Patmore Gibbs was Sony TV’s executive vp of drama development. “Outlander,” “Masters of Sex,” and “The Get Down” are among the projects she developed during her tenure.
