Jennifer Aniston is one of the most recognizable names on American television. Starring as Rachel Green on Friends for a full decade, her star power has never faded, and she’s remained in the public eye. The newest project Aniston will be involved with is an adaptation of the book I’m Glad My Mom Died by former child actress Jennette McCurdy.
The series, which Aniston is producing and will star in, is set to air on Apple TV+. McCurdy’s book probes the complex and traumatic lifestyle many child actors endure. The forthcoming adaptation has the potential to offer a sardonic look at fame and what happens when the cameras stop rolling. Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming series.
What Is ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’ About?
Many know of Jennette McCurdy from her time on the Nickelodeon series iCarly, where she starred as Sam Puckett. Like many actors thrust into the spotlight at such a young age, the real story of what was occurring behind the camera is far more captivating. In the case of Jennette McCurdy, her bubbly on-screen persona hid a tragic tale of abuse from an overbearing parent. I’m Glad My Mom Died, McCurdy’s memoir, details a childhood marred by manipulation.
Stories of children reluctant to take center stage and having overbearing parents who put undue pressure on them have been consistent in the headlines. Reality television, in particular, has brought more attention to these toxic relationships and led many to question the morality regarding younger talent and the pressures of fame. I’m Glad My Mom Died offered readers an unfiltered look into the relationship McCurdy had with her mother, whose emotional manipulation forced her daughter into the spotlight. McCurdy details being groomed from an early age and becoming what amounts to a surrogate for her mother’s unrealized dreams of fame.
Related
Jennette McCurdy Has Quit Acting, Won’t Return for iCarly Revival: I Resent My Career
Jennette McCurdy has no desire to return to acting for the iCarly revival, saying of her past roles, ‘I resent my career in a lot of ways.’
The manipulation exerted by McCurdy’s mother went far beyond the grave following her death from cancer in 2013. In an interview with the Associated Press in 2022, McCurdy stated: “I’d cry because I missed her, and I’d be angry that I was crying that I missed her and feel she doesn’t deserve these tears. I think abusive love is so complicated … It’s going to be mixed and messy.”
Between the abuse McCurdy endured and the continuing allegations against Nickelodeon, the upcoming adaptation of I’m Glad My Mom Died has the potential to pull back the curtain even further on what goes on behind the scenes of the programs we rely on for entertainment.
Who’s Involved with the ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’ Series?
In bringing Jennette McCurdy’s memoir to life, AppleTV+ has assembled a remarkable production team. McCurdy is credited as both writer and executive producer and will be joined by the team of Jennifer Aniston and Ari Katcher. Katcher’s credits are diverse and have seen him tackle numerous projects. As a writer, he’s worked on content for Saturday Night Live and The Golden Globes. Katcher also helped create the successful show Ramy, which ran for 30 episodes on Hulu.
Tackling such sensitive subjects as manipulation and abuse with a writer like Katcher, who has mainly been involved with comedy, seems ideal for the intent of the 10-episode series. According to a press release from Apple TV+, I’m Glad My Mother Died will be:
“A heartbreaking and hilarious recounting of McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother… The dramedy will center on the codependent relationship between an 18-year-old actress in a hit kids’ show and her narcissistic mother.”
Katcher’s contributions have the potential to inject an adaptation of McCurdy’s memoir with sardonic wit as it probes a controversial topic.
Related
Jennifer Aniston Reunites With Apple TV+ for New Series Based on Former Child Star’s Shocking Memoir
The series has been described as a “heartbreaking and hilarious recounting.”
In addition to serving as an executive producer, Anniston will play McCurdy’s overbearing mother, Debra. Information regarding the rest of the cast is limited as of now. Anniston has collaborated with Apple TV+ as an executive producer and star of The Morning Show. By accepting the role of Debra, Anniston has the opportunity to take on a more dramatic, dark role than she ever has before.
When & Where Can I Watch ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’?
Based on Jennette McCurdy’s memoir of the same name, I’m Glad My Mom Died will be a 10-episode miniseries. Currently, there is no set release date, but you can catch the series in its entirety on Apple TV+.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
