Although we’ve begun to get used to the idea of film directors taking charge of the pilot episodes of new TV series to boost viewership (think Martin Scorsese for HBO’s upcoming Boardwalk Empire), we’ve never seen a combination of directorial talents quite like this. According to Deadline, HBO has lined up a number of impressive film directors to helm episodes of the new Mike White comedy series Enlightened, including Academy Award-winner Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs), John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Itch), Phil Morrison (Junebug), and Miguel Arteta (Youth in Revolt). Each would direct an unspecified number of episodes for the first season.
Enlightened stars Luke Wilson (Middle Men, My Super Ex-Girlfriend) and Laura Dern (Recount, Jurassic Park) as a deadbeat and drug-addled husband and self-destructive wife, whose lives are changed when Dern has a spiritual awakening and begins trying to lead an enlightened life.
HBO has picked up the series for at least nine episodes, with writer-creator Mike White set to direct the pilot. Demme, possibly the biggest name director amongst the indie talent mentioned above, is on board for at least a couple episodes. That’s heartening news for us as viewers and especially for Luke Wilson, who I hope may finally be leaving the ‘AT&T’ phase of his career behind.
Source: Collider
