The Shrink Next Door is currently set to be an upcoming television series featuring Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell in the central roles. It’s based on a bizarre true-story that was turned into a popular podcast. The project is currently seeking other stars for the major roles in the show. Now, it appears that their specific search has a particular pair of actresses in mind.
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The Illuminerdi has seen the casting breakdown for the The Shrink Next Door, which suggests that there are some specific comedy actress types that the producers have in mind for lead roles in the series.
THE SHRINK NEXT DOOR SEEKING TWO FEMALE LEADS
The series will tell a story inspired by bizarre true events. They story follows Isaac, a psychiatrist who befriends a journalist named Joe. Isaac, a charming and famed therapist for important celebrities, often threw massive parties and seemed to have the perfect life. But eventually, Ike seemingly disappeared into thin air. Left behind was one of his patients, Marty, who was revealed to actually be the owner of “Ike’s” house and had been quietly getting manipulated by his psychiatrist for years.
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The story was recounted in the popular true-crime podcast The Shrink Next Door. The seven-episode podcast was released in 2019 and quickly became one of the most popular podcasts of the year. The story was quickly optioned for a television series, which will likely also explore the real-life events of the story. The series will be a production of the newly formed Civic Center Media, a joint venture between the United Talent Agency and indie studio Media Rights Capital. The series is being currently shopped to various channels and streaming services, but has not yet found a home.
Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer) is currently set to direct the series. Meanwhile, Georgia Pritchett (Veep) is currently slated as a writer. Paul Rudd (Living With Yourself) will star as Ike, the titular shrink. Playing off of him as the therapy subjects that are being manipulated is Marty, who will be played by Will Ferrell (Downhill). Ferrell and Showalter are listed as Executive Producers, including Jessica Elbaum (Booksmart) and Brittney Segal (Search Party).
THR reports that the series is being described as a “dark comedy.” The premise of the series suggests that it’ll subvert some of the typical character types Rudd and Ferrell play. Rudd will get to add a dark depth to his normally charming persona, while Ferrell will be less likely to be clownish, as the timid man being manipulated by his doctor.
The series has yet to cast two major female roles: Becky and Phyliss. Both are suggested to be within the 37-50 age range. Becky is another of Ike’s former patients. She’s also married to Ike, suggesting another instance of Ike using his position to manipulate the people around him. Phyliss is Marty’s sister, and likely someone who will come up against Ike and his attempts to manipulate Marty. Although the role hasn’t been filled yet, The Illuminerdi has learned that the production is seeking a Kristen Wiig or Megan Mullally type for the role.
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The movie will film between September and December of 2020, suggesting that it’ll have a 2021 release at the earliest. What do you think about the Rudd/Ferrell dark comedy? Do you think it’d be better if it’s more of a comedy or a tragedy? Would it be more exciting to see Wigg or Mullally take on a role opposite the pair? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
