Netflix Greenlights Autism Comedy From ‘The Goldbergs’ Duo; Jennifer Jason Leigh, Keir Gilchrist & Michael Rapaport To Star
Netflix has given a formal series green light to Atypical (formerly known as Antarctica), a coming-of-age comedy series from The Goldbergs writer/co-executive producer Robia Rashid and director/executive producer Seth Gordon. Jennifer Jason Leigh (Hateful Eight), Keir Gilchrist (It’s Kind Of A Funny Story) and Michael Rapaport (Justified) attached to star. The series, from Sony Pictures TV, will begin production in Los Angeles later this year.
Created and written by Rashid, the story follows Sam (Gilchrist), an 18-year-old on the autistic spectrum on his search for love and independence. His funny yet painful journey of self-discovery upends his entire family, forcing them to grapple with change in their own lives as they struggle with the central theme: What does it really mean to be normal? Leigh stars as his mother, Elsa, who is on her own journey of self discovery, and Rapaport plays his father, Doug. Brigette Lundy-Paine (Margot Vs Lily, The Glass Castle) will play Sam’s sister Casey and Amy Okuda (How To Get Away With Murder) portrays his therapist Julia.
Gordon will direct the first episode of the series, which he executive produces alongside Rashid and Mary Rohlich. Leigh serves as a producer.
Leigh, who co-stars in the upcoming Twin Peaks sequel, is repped by CAA and Untitled. Rapaport is managed by Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Gilchrist is repped by ICM Partners and Thruline Entertainment.
For Rashid, the project stems from her overall deal with Sony TV. Writing is a second career for Rashid, who spent four seasons on CBS/20th TV’s hit comedy How I Met Your Mother, rising to supervising producer. Early on, she did a six-year stint working for a nonprofit organization, mentoring inner city kids and helping them get college scholarships. She then took a writing class at NYU taught by former Sex And The City writer Cindy Chupack and, with her help, she segued to TV comedy writing with a job on Will & Grace. Rashid is with ICM Partners and attorney Robert Offer.
Horrible Bosses helmer Gordon, who also has been under a deal at Sony TV, is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment.
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