British actress Sarah Lancashire transforms into famed television chef Julia Child in HBO Max’s eight-episode limited series Julia, premiering on Thursday, March 31 on the service.
The series depicts how cookbook author Child talked her way into hosting a cooking show on public television. While executives were initially resistant – considering the concept “flimsy” for the erudite space of public TV and wondering if they should “go with someone a little more camera-friendly and with a less distinctive sound” – the show changed the perception of both public TV and cooking.
Frasier alum David Hyde Pierce plays Child’s supportive husband, Paul, and another Frasier alum, Bebe Neuwirth, plays her dear friend, Avis. The series also stars Brittany Bradford, Fran Kranz, Fiona Glascott and Jefferson Mays.
It’s produced by Lionsgate and 3 Arts Entertainment. Chris Keyser is showrunner as well as executive producer alongside creator Daniel Goldfarb. Erwin Stoff of 3 Arts Entertainment, Kimberly Carver and Charles McDougall also executive produce. Todd Schulkin is consulting producer on behalf of The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts.
The eight-episode limited series debuts with three episodes on HBO Max on Thursday, March 31, with one episode premiering weekly through the series finale on May 5.