Not long after delivering powerhouse performances for films like THE INVISIBLE MAN and SHIRLEY, Elisabeth Moss has attached herself to Candy (working title), a limited event series based on the true story of Texas killer Candy Montgomery and her victim, Betty Gore. In addition to starring as Montgomery, Moss will also produce the project which hails from The Act co-creator Nick Antosca and writer Robin Veith (MAD MEN, THE ACT).
According to Deadline, Candy is set in 1980 Texas where Candy Montgomery (Moss) seemingly had it all – a loving husband with a good job, a daughter and a son, a nice house in the brand new suburbs – so why did she kill her friend from church with an ax?
When it comes to setting up the series, Veith will write the pilot as well as executive produce. Antosca will serve as executive producer courtesy of his Eat the Cat studio alongside Alex Hedlund. Moss will also executive produce with Lindsey McManus. Meanwhile, Jim Atkinson & John Bloom will board the series as consulting producers.
“The unique tale of Candy Montgomery is one Nick has been passionate about telling for a very long time. After working with Robin on The Act, the two crafted an incredible script that is tense, twisted, and tempting,” said Dawn Olmstead, president, UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, who will serve as the studio for the event. “With her range of work speaking for itself, Elisabeth is dream casting for us and the care and thoughtfulness she will bring to the complex events that unfolded really deepens the project. I wish I was already sitting on the couch in a dark room watching the opening credits right now.”
“I have been wanting to play an anti-heroine for a while now, and have been trying to work with Robin again after Mad Men for even longer, so when she asked me if I wanted to play a housewife from Texas who, some would say, got away with murder, I simply said, ‘Where do I sign?’ Adding the opportunity to work with Nick after his incredible work on The Act was like taking a delicious dessert and putting 100 cherries on top,” Moss said excitedly. “My producing partner Lindsey and I are so thrilled to be partnering with them and Alex and Scott and everyone at UCP on a show that I believe is truly going to be like no other we’ve done and will be a role like none I’ve ever played.”
Before slipping into the role of Candy Montgomery for what I can only imagine will be a passionate performance, Moss is getting ready to return to The Handmaid's Tale for the show's fourth season. If you're hoping to catch her as part of a more recent feature, might I suggest giving SHIRLEY a whirl? In the film, Moss stars as Shirley Jackson, a famous horror writer who finds inspiration for her next book after she and her husband take in a young couple. To say this film is intense would be an understatement, and I highly recommend that you check it out.
We'll be sure to keep you updated as details for Candy come about.