Ted Lasso’s Phil Dunster Joins Steve Carell’s New HBO Comedy

Ted Lasso's Phil Dunster Joins Steve Carell's New HBO Comedy

As a movie lover with a knack for spotting rising stars and a soft spot for British talent, I can’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment seeing Phil Dunster depart from Ted Lasso. However, with his new role opposite Steve Carell in Bill Lawrence’s upcoming comedy series, I can’t help but be intrigued!


It could be the reason why actor Phil Dunster isn’t expected to reprise his role on Ted Lasso, as he has been reportedly cast as a series regular opposite The Office’s Steve Carell in Bill Lawrence’s new comedy TV series.

Despite the details being secretive as reported by Deadline, the comedy series yet to be titled by Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Scrubs, Shrinking creator), Matt Tarses (Scrubs), and Warner Bros. TV has already secured a first season order from its future network, HBO.

What Is Steve Carell and Phil Dunster’s New Show About?

So far, all that’s been disclosed about the series is that it takes place at a university and revolves around a complex father-daughter relationship portrayed by Carell. As for Dunst’s character, her role hasn’t been specified yet – she might be the daughter’s boyfriend, another author, or a college professor; the intrigue lies in waiting to see who she will play as more information unfolds. Given the talented team behind this project, it’s definitely one to watch for further developments.

In previous discussions, Lawrence has hinted at a link between Carell’s character and his other project, the movie “Bad Monkey,” starring Vince Vaughn. Essentially, Carell’s character is inspired by Carl Hiaasen, the author of “Bad Monkey”. As Lawrence described, Hiaasen is a down-to-earth, modest author, and Carell portrays a character with similar characteristics who accidentally ends up in an academic setting.

Steve Carell is such an inspiring comedic guy to me,” he said.

Lawrence shared his thoughts about a role he’s eager to take on, one where an actor needs to switch from being hilarious, goofy, and silly to serious in a moment’s notice – a skill he showcased brilliantly in “The Office”. This character was absurd yet touching, making him tear up at times. He expressed his enthusiasm and also acknowledged the challenge and opportunity that HBO presents for writers like himself, as it has always been regarded as a top-tier comedy channel. However, he’s aware that shows like “Curb” and “Barry” are no longer around, meaning their signature comedies might not be as prevalent.

As a devoted movie buff, I’m thrilled about the upcoming collaboration between Carell and Lawrence, even though they haven’t worked together before. Interestingly, this project marks a reunion for Lawrence and Dunster, who shared the screen for three seasons on Ted Lasso. In that series, Lawrence portrayed the arrogant Jamie Tartt, while Dunster brought his enigmatic acting to life. Together, they contributed significantly to one of the most captivating storylines on the show, a testament to Lawrence’s creative prowess in the writer’s room and Dunster’s intriguing acting decisions.

2023 saw Dunster receive an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, a recognition echoed by both fans and industry experts. His small-screen appearances extend to roles in the second season of the psychological thriller “Surface”, the Prime Video series “The Devil’s Hour”, a remake of the French series “Call My Agent” titled “Ten Percent”, ITV’s “The Trouble With Maggie Cole”, the HBO miniseries “Catherine The Great”, and Amazon’s “Catastrophe”. On the big screen, he has featured in “The Good Liar”, Kenneth Branagh’s “The Murder on the Orient Express”, and “Judy”. Recently, he made his directorial debut with “Idiomatic”, a short film he also wrote, produced, and acted in alongside Kerry Godliman.

HBO’s Untitled Bill Lawrence Comedy Series is slated to begin shooting in early 2025.

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2024-11-08 22:01