Starz has officially picked up the new anthology seriesGaslit, which is based on Slate’s award-winning podcastSlow Burn. The first season ofSlow Burnturned its focus on the Watergate scandal, and, in turn, this event will serve as the focus ofGaslit. The first season ofGaslitwill focus onMartha Mitchell’s role in uncovering the Watergate scandal.Julia Robertsis set to play Mitchell andSean Pennwill tackle the role ofJohn Mitchell, Mitchell’s husband and the former Attorney General under PresidentRichard Nixon. The new series is overseen by showrunnerRobbie Pickering(Mr. Robot,Search Party), who also serves as the executive producer. Additionally,Sam Esmail, via his overall deal with UCP, andChadHamilton(Homecoming) serve as executive producers under their production banner Esmail Corp.
In addition to news of theStarzpick-up, it was confirmed that some big casting shake-ups have taken place since the project was first announced back in February 2020 (viaVariety). Previously,Armie HammerandJoel Edgertonwere announced as cast members. Edgerton’s brother,Nash Edgerton, was also announced as the director and an executive producer. Since then, Hammer and the Edgertons have departed the project. These departures took place months ago, perVariety. In the case of Hammer, they don’t appear to be connected to his recent string of project exits.Matt Ross(Captain Fantastic) will step in for Nash Edgerton as director and as an executive producer. There is currently no news regarding the actors who will take over for Hammer and Edgerton.
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Pickering offered up a statement onGaslit’s forward momentum, sharing in an official press release,
“I’m so happy to have the opportunity to share the heartbreaking, fascinating story of Martha Mitchell with the world. Martha was the first and loudest voice to speak out against the bumbling criminality of a crooked Presidential administration and she was one of the most complicated public martyrs of the era. To find anyone willing to tell her story is a dream. To be making it with Sam, Julia, Sean, Matt, UCP and Starz seems impossible. I’m over the moon.”
For those who are curious, an official synopsis forGaslitreads:
“‘Gaslit’ is a modern take on Watergate that focuses on the untold stories and forgotten characters of the scandal – from Nixon’s bumbling, opportunistic subordinates, to the deranged zealots aiding and abetting their crimes, to the tragic whistleblowers who would eventually bring the whole rotten enterprise crashing down.”
We’ll keep you posted on theGaslitrelease date as this project develops.
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