Universal Content Productions has announced that they’re currently in the process of developing a new limited thriller series titled Candy which centers on real-life Texas killer Candy Montgomery with Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress Elisabeth Moss attached to portray the titular role. The project hails from Robin Veith and Nick Antosca, who previously worked together on Hulu’s critically-acclaimed miniseries The Act. UCP is planning to shop the series to networks and streaming platforms with Hulu being the likely candidate given the streamer’s partnership with Moss and the creators.
“I have been wanting to play an anti-heroine for a while now,” Moss said in a statement. (via The Wrap) “And have been trying to work with Robin again after ‘Mad Men’ for even longer, so when she asked me if I wanted to play a housewife from Texas who, some would say, got away with murder, I simply said, ‘Where do I sign?’ Adding the opportunity to work with Nick after his incredible work on ‘The Act’ was like taking a delicious dessert and putting 100 cherries on top. My producing partner Lindsey and I are so thrilled to be partnering with them and Alex and Scott and everyone at UCP on a show that I believe is truly going to be like no other we’ve done and will be a role like none I’ve ever played.”
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Candy will be based on the real-life story of the titular infamous ax killer and her victim Betty Gore. Set in 1980, Texas, Candy Montgomery (Moss) seemingly had it all – a loving husband with a good job, a daughter and a son, a nice house in the brand new suburbs – so why did she kill her friend from church with an ax?
“The unique tale of Candy Montgomery is one Nick has been passionate about telling for a very long time. After working with Robin on The Act, the two crafted an incredible script that is tense, twisted and tempting,” President of UCP Dawn Olmstead said. “With her range of work speaking for itself, Elisabeth is dream casting for us and the care and thoughtfulness she will bring to the complex events that unfolded really deepens the project. I wish I was already sitting on the couch in a dark room watching the opening credits right now.”
The series will be written by Robin Veith, who was previously nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on Mad Men. On top of starring, Moss will also be serving as an executive producer along with Nick Antosca, Alex Hedlund, and Lindsey McManus. Meanwhile, Jim Atkinson and John Bloom have signed on as consulting producers.
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Moss is best known for her role as Offred/June in Hulu’s series adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s classic novel The Handmaid’s Tale which had earned her two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress. She most recently starred in Blumhouse’s The Invisible Man and Josephine Decker’s Shirley film. Moss will next be seen in Wes Anderson’s star-studded dramedy The French Dispatch and Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins.
