Elizabeth Olsen to Star in HBO Max Series ‘Love and Death’ From David E. Kelley, Nicole Kidman to Produce

Joe Otterson
·3 min read
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Elizabeth Olsen is set to star in a new HBO Max limited series that boasts an all-star lineup behind the camera as well.

Olsen will star in “Love and Death,” which hails from writer and executive producer David E. Kelley. Nicole Kidman will also executive produce, with Lesli Linka Glatter onboard to direct.

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The series is based on the true story of Texas housewife Candy Montgomery, who murdered her friend from church, Betty Gore, with an axe in 1980. Olsen will star as Montgomery. The show is inspired by the book “Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs” and a collection of articles from Texas Monthly (“Love & Death In Silicon Prairie, Part I & II”).

“This is a gripping story about the frustrations and desires of two women in a small town that culminates in a terrible act of violence,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content for HBO Max. “We are thrilled to be partnering with David, Lesli, Nicole, and Per and incredibly fortunate to have Elizabeth at the center of our story to bring out all the layers of Candy that make this story so unforgettable.”

“Love and Death” will be produced by Lionsgate Television for HBO Max. Kelley executive produces via David E. Kelley Productions, while Kidman and Per Saari executive produce through Blossom Films. Linka Glatter will also executive produce in addition to directing, with Scott Brown and Megan Creydt of Texas Monthly, Matthew Tinker, Michael Klick and Helen Verno also executive producing.

This is now the second high-profile project about the Candy Montgomery case announced within the past year. Elisabeth Moss is set to star as Montgomery in the limited series “Candy,” which hails from UCP and is currently in development at Hulu.

“We cannot imagine a more perfect artist to play the leading role of Candy than Elizabeth Olsen,” said Kevin Beggs, chairman of Lionsgate Television Group. Her talent, charisma and energy can bewitch audiences like no other. We’re proud to be collaborating with a world-class creative team of Lesli, David and Nicole on this thrilling and intriguing series and to bring another exciting premium property to our partners at HBO Max.”

News of the series comes on the heels of Olsen starring in the critically-acclaimed Disney Plus series “WandaVision,” in which she reprised the role of Wanda Maximoff from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Prior to the series, Olsen had appeared in four films in the MCU while she will also appear in the upcoming “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” She has previously starred in shows like “Sorry for Your Loss” as well as films like “Martha Marcy May Marlene.”

She is repped by Gersh, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Sloane Offer.

“Love and Death” also marks the latest collaboration for TV veteran Kelley and Kidman. The first was the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning HBO drama “Big Little Lies,” in which Kidman starred in addition to executive producing. Most recently they teamed for “The Undoing,” another HBO production that starred Kidman and Hugh Grant. Up next is “Nine Perfect Strangers” at Hulu, which is based on the book of the same name by “Big Little Lies” author Liane Moriarty.

Kelley is repped by CAA and attorney Michael Gendler. Kidman is repped by CAA, Media Talent Group, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

Linka Glatter is a multiple time Emmy nominee as well as an Academy Award nominee. She is best known for her work on the hit Showtime series “Homeland,” but has also helmed episodes of other hit shows like “Mad Men,” “The Walking Dead,” “West Wing,” and “Pretty Little Liars.”

She is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and Lichter, Grossman, Texas Monthly is repped by CAA.

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