Oscar-nominated “Philomena” star Steve Coogan has replaced Philip Seymour Hoffman in Showtime’s “Happyish.”
Showrunners originally planned to center the half-hour comedy series around Hoffman, but it was thrown into disarray in February when the Oscar-winning actor died of a lethal combination of cocaine, heroin and other drugs. As TheWrap reported in July, Showtime president David Nevins said he was willing to recast the role for another actor.
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Coogan will play Thom Payne, a 44-year-old guy whose life is turned upside down after he’s forced to work under a young, overachieving boss in a nearly incomprehensible digital world, with the premise of the show being that “happyish” may be about as much as he can expect from his life.
The British actor co-wrote, produced, and starred in the Oscar nominated film “Philomena” in 2013, which earned him Golden Globe, BAFTA and Academy Award nominations. He also starred in “Tropic Thunder,” “24 Hour Party People,” “The Other Guys,” and “Around the World in 80 Days.”
CAA , Independent Talent Group and Relevant represent Coogan.
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“Happyish” was created by author and “This American Life” contributor Shalom Auslander.
“Steve’s range is astounding – he is a comedy legend, a gifted satirist, and he possesses the unique combination of talents this role demands,” he said in a statement given to TheWrap.
Emmy Award nominee Ken Kwapis (“He’s Just Not That Into You”) will executive produce the series and direct the half-hour pilot this December in New York.
