Kristen Wiig is stepping down as star of the half-hour comedy series being developed for Apple by Reese Witherspoon, due to scheduling conflicts with the production of the “Wonder Woman” sequel, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. The show is now on hold as Apple and the show’s producers consider their options, including finding a new lead actress.
Inspired by Curtis Sittenfeld’s upcoming short story collection “You Think It, I’ll Say It,” the project from Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine received a 10-episode order, and was set to become Apple’s first half-hour scripted comedy. Wiig signed onto the series when it was ordered in January, and was set to executive produce as well as star.
However, Wiig joined “Wonder Woman 1984” just two months later. That film is currently in production, with Wiig playing classic DC comics villain Cheetah. The superhero sequel’s shooting schedule, as well as other obligations, overlapped with the plan for the Apple series, leading to Wiig’s exit.
Apple is still interested in the show, which Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter will executive produce for Hello Sunshine, alongside Colleen McGuinness, who created it and will serve as showrunner. Sittenfeld will act as consulting producer.
This marks the third project Apple has ordered from Hello Sunshine, including Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston’s morning show drama and Octavia Spencer’s “Are You Sleeping,” which is co-produced by Chernin Entertainment.
Those series join the tech company’s lineup of originals, including Steven Spielberg’s “Amazing Stories,” Ron Moore’s space drama, the drama “See” from Steven Knight and Francis Lawrence, and the docuseries “Home” from Matt Tyrnauer and Matthew Weaver.
Deadline first reported Wiig’s departure.