Claire Danes Returns to HBO with ‘My So-Called Life’ Creator for New Drama Series

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According to Variety, Claire Danes, famously known for her role in Homeland, is joining forces once more with the creator and producer of her earlier show My So-Called Life. The upcoming HBO TV series is titled The Applebaum Curse. In this production, Claire Danes will take on the lead role, while Winnie Holzman, the writer behind Wicked, will pen the script and oversee the project as the showrunner. Both women are serving as executive producers for the series, which is currently in its early stages of development. The logline indicates that the show will be an ongoing one-hour drama about a troubled family, with Claire Danes at the helm.

When recently asked why no one has tried to reboot or remake My So-Called Life, Holzman replied:

It’s intriguing that you’ve asked about this. I’m working on something where I hope Claire and I will collaborate again. To clarify, it’s not exactly a reboot, but I believe our partnership could be a unique take on that concept. The story is entirely new, but we’re optimistic that we’ll have the chance to work together once more.

Although it would be fascinating to see Dane’s Angela Chase character from “My So-Called Life” in a new series titled “The Applebaum Curse“, as it is set 30 years later, that isn’t going to happen. However, the show seems to be entirely original, and based on Winnie Holzman’s statement that “it’s kind of a version of that,” it appears that its themes might draw inspiration from the mid-90s when many members of Generation X were teenagers or in their 20s, experiencing life with a mix of angst, sarcasm, and all the complexities that come with growing up during that era.

‘My So-Called Life’ Was an Authentic Gen X TV Show

The term “slacker generation” is often used to describe Generation X, and they truly found their footing in the early to mid-1990s. During this period, grunge and alternative music were ruling the airwaves alongside iconic hip-hop and R&B artists like Public Enemy and TLC. Furthermore, a show called “My So-Called Life” provided an authentic portrayal of the latchkey kids generation, which was unlike any other teen program on television at that time, such as “90210”.

The series debuted on ABC back in August 1994 and continued until January 1995 before being terminated by May. It centered around Danes as Angela and her companions who were students at Liberty High, situated in a fictitious town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called Three Rivers. Amongst these friends was Jared Leto in his breakout performance as Jordan Catalano, along with Wilson Cruz (Star Trek: Discovery) portraying Rickie Vasquez.

The show titled “My So-Called Life” delved into profound themes like bullying, substance abuse, sex, excessive drinking, and other challenging subjects. It gained immense popularity and admiration from viewers, boasting as many as 10 million viewers, yet it unexpectedly ended after its inaugural season. In fact, Danes received a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Angela. Over time, it has become a cult classic with an impressive 94% critical and 91% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Nowadays, you can stream “My So-Called Life” on Hulu.

1994 saw the release of “Reality Bites,” the first major film appearance by Ben Stiller, offering yet another perspective on Generation X. The movie featured Winona Ryder in the role of a documentarian and Ethan Hawke as a former guitarist who had recently lost his job, both struggling with life after college.

The movie was penned by Helen Childress (of “Good Girls”), and it featured Janeane Garofalo as Vickie, Steve Zahn as Sammy, and Stiller portraying Michael, a producer. This film is both a romantic comedy-drama and delves into the lives of Generation X as they maneuver through a post-college era, with a strong element of wit and sarcasm. The soundtrack showcased several well-known alternative rock bands, including Lisa Loeb and Dinosaur Jr.

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2025-02-19 22:02