FX has ordered a limited series based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s best-selling novel Fleishman Is in Trouble.
The nine-episode series, in development for 18 months, will run on FX on Hulu, the Disney-owned cabler’s streaming hub that’s also been home to such originals as Mrs. America and Devs. ABC Signature is producing.
Brodesser-Akner will adapt her book for the series, marking her first foray into TV. She executive produces with Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Susannah Grant.
“Fleishman is in Trouble offers an unsparing, modern take on life, love and commitment in Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s terrific debut novel and we are thrilled that she is adapting it as a limited series for FX,” said Gina Balian, president original programming at FX. “Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Susannah Grant join Taffy on the creative team that will work with ABC Signature to capture the energy and edge of this story.”
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Fleishman is in Trouble follows the recently separated, 40-something Toby Fleishman, who enters the world of app-based dating and finds more success than he ever had the last time he was single, near the end of medical school. When his ex-wife, Rachel, disappears, Rachel, he’s left with the kids and no hint of where she is or whether she plans to return. Balancing parenting, friends, a long-awaited promotion at the hospital, and all the eligible women Manhattan has to offer, he realizes he’ll never be able to figure out what happened to Rachel until he can more honestly examine what happened to their marriage.
“I’m thrilled to be extending Fleishman‘s life onto the screen with such smart, thoughtful and courageous partners,” said Brodesser-Akner. “When I was writing this book, my aim was to resolve for myself the mystifying dynamics and politics of marriage and middle age. Writing the book didn’t help much, so I’m hoping that making this show does the trick.”
Added ABC Signature president Jonnie Davis, “Lisa [Lang McMullen], Tracy [Underwood] and I fell in love with Taffy’s searing novel and were ecstatic she chose us and our partners at FX as her home. Along with Sarah, Carl and Susannah, we can’t wait for Taffy’s vision for the series to deliver equal water cooler addiction that her book garnered upon debut.”
Long-time producing partners Timberman and Beverly were executive producers of FX’s Justified; their credits also include CBS’ SEAL Team and Elementary and Netflix’s Unbelievable, which Grant — an Oscar nominee for Erin Brockovich — co-created and also executive produced.
Brodesser-Akner is repped by ICM Partners and McKuin Frankel. Timberman and Beverly are repped by Adam Berkowitz of Lenore Entertainment Group, and Grant is repped by UTA and Berkowitz.
