Greta Gerwig to Star in CBS’ ‘How I Met Your Dad’

CBS has found the star of its How I Met Your Mother spinoff How I Met Your Dad.

Frances Ha Golden Globe nominee Greta Gerwig has been tapped to topline the comedy pilot from How I Met Your Mother‘s Carter Bays, Craig Thomas and EP Emily Spivey, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Gerwig also will be credited as a producer and, should the pilot move to series, is expected to write as well.

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In the spirit of How I Met Your Mother, How I Met Your Dad tells the story from a female point of view. It’s described as a brand-new story with new characters and a new voice at its center.

Gerwig will play the lead role of Sally, a female Peter Pan who never has grown up and has no idea where she’s going in life. She just has figured out that she has nothing in common with her husband of less than a year. A breakup is inevitable, but Sally will find a solid circle of support in her friends and family, who often are too willing to give “good” advice that can backfire badly. Meanwhile, Sally must filter out the input and decide what’s best for her.

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Spivey, Bays and Thomas will pen the script and executive produce alongside regular How I Met Your Mother director Pam Fryman. The 20th Century Fox Television comedy pilot will film in Los Angeles but move to New York when and if it is picked up to series.

Repped by UTA and Management 360, Gerwig earned a Golden Globe nomination for lead actress in a comedy for her role in Frances Ha, which she co-wrote with Noah Baumbach. She recently wrapped The Humbling opposite Al Pacino. Her credits also include Greenberg, To Rome With Love, Lola Versus, Arthur and Northern Comfort, which she also co-wrote.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
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