“Phony,” the coming-of-age mystery pilot starring Connie Britton and Sam Nivola, has been picked up to series at Hulu.
The half-hour show follows a teenage boy who wakes up after a car accident only to find that his mom — his only parent and best friend — appears to have been replaced by an impostor. Nivola plays Sonny, “the most beloved student at his high school” who is only truly known by his mom Ellen (Britton), a single mom who serves as the principal of her son’s school.
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The series hails from showrunner and writer-director Nick Paley, who penned “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” and helmed an episode of “Broad City.” Paley executive produces alongside co-showrunner Anthony King, Britton, Charlie Alderman for Charlie’s Production Company, and Drew Goddard and Sarah Esberg for Goddard Textiles. Andrea Massaro is a co-executive producer. The series is produced by 20th Television.
Britton is a five-time Emmy nominee best known for her roles on “Friday Night Lights,” “Nashville,” “American Horror Story” and Season 1 of “The White Lotus.” Her credits also include “24,” “The West Wing,” “Zero Day” alongside Robert De Niro and Benito Skinner’s comedy “Overcompensating.” Next she will star opposite Steve Carell in an untitled college-set series.
Nivola is a fellow “White Lotus” alum who broke out on this year’s Thailand-set Season 3. His credits also include “White Noise,” “The Perfect Couple,” “Maestro” and “Eileen.” Next he’ll star in a coming-of-age comedy directed by Bobby Farrelly, “Driver’s Ed,” opposite Molly Shannon and Kumail Nanjiani.
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