'Coastal Elites': Meet Daniel Levy, Sarah Paulson, Bette Midler and rest of cast of HBO's pandemic-themed show
Since the pandemic has disrupted most of the entertainment industry, many creators have used the health crisis to deliver prompt productions that cater to this part of history. 'Coastal Elites', a "socially distanced comedy", is yet another installment set to release with the theme of the pandemic. Like 'Love in the Time of Corona' and the upcoming 'Connecting', here comes another "socially distanced comedy" that is a 90-minute special where audiences get to see how characters deal with the consequences of a deadly virus and how they cope with the lockdown. Here is the star-studded cast bringing this modern-day coronavirus era series to life.
Bette Midler as Miriam Nessler
Midler is a Grammy Award-winning singer, a comedian and an author who is known for her roles as Brenda Morelli Cushman in 'The First Wives Club' (1996), Winifred in 'Hocus Pocus' (1993), Barbara Stone in 'Ruthless People' and CC Bloom in 'Beacher' (1988). Her recent works include 'The Addams Family' (2019), 'The Glorias' (2020) and 'The Politician' (2019-2020). She has two releases in pre-production titled 'The Tale of the Allergist's Wife' and 'Family Jewels'. This year Midler was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for 'The Politician' and was also nominated for a Gold Derby TV Award for Comedy Guest Actress for the same production. TV line described Nessler's character as such, she is a long-time teacher in the New York City public school system, who loves her students, the New York Times, and the theater… and who finds herself in police custody.
Kaitlyn Dever as Sharynn Tarrows
Dever is known for her roles as Amy in 'Booksmart' (2019), Marie Adler in 'Unbelievable' (2019), Jayden in 'Short Term 12' and Loretta McCready in 'Justified' (2011-2015). The actress also has director credits in 'Beulahbelle: Raleigh' (2020) and soundtrack credits in 'Home & Family' (2013), 'Tully' (2018)), 'Last Man Standing' and 'Dear Evan Hansen'. In 2019, Dever won a CinemaCon Award for Female Stars of Tomorrow which she shared with Beanie Feldstein, and also an Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking for 'Them That Follow' which she shared with her teammates. In 2020, she won an HCA Award for Best Performance by an Actress 23 and Under for her role in 'Booksmart'. She currently has two releases in post-production titled 'Mosterland' (2020) and 'Platform' (2021) and one in pre-production titled 'Dear Evan Hansen. TVLine described Tarrows' character as such, she is a young nurse from Wyoming who flies to New York to volunteer at a hospital at the height of the area’s Covid-19 crisis.
Daniel Levy as Mark Hesterman
Levy is not only known for being the writer of the hit show 'Schitt's Creek' (2015-2020) but is also an Emmy-nominated showrunner, and a writer, actor, director and producer. Roles that he is recognized for include Robbie in 'Degrassi Goes Hollywood' (2009) and 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' (2009), Jonah in 'Modern Family' (2018) and a narrator for 'The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show' (2019). Levy currently has one release in post-production titled 'Happiest Season' (2020). In 2019, the actor won a Davidson/Valentini Award at the GLADD Media Awards, and in 2020, he won the Radius Award and the Canadian Screen Award for 'Schitt's Creek' which he shared with his teammates. You may also know him as James from 'Admission' (2013) and Jack Dayton from 'Cyberstalker' (2012). TVLine described Hesterman's character as such, he is a young actor in West Hollywood videoconferencing with his therapist at a moment of peak career and personal stress.
Sarah Paulson as Clarissa Montgomery
Queen of hit series 'American Crime Story' (2016-2021) and set to bring back the iconic character Nurse Ratched in Netflix upcoming 'Ratched' (2020), Paulson has earned her stripes with exceptional performances in her career. She is known for her roles as Mistress Epps in '12 Years A Slave' (2013), Dr Ellie Staple in 'Glass' (2019), Abby Gerhard in 'Carol' (2015) and let's not forget Zoe in 'Touched by an Angel' (2001). Besides 'Ratched', Paulson has another release titled 'Run' where she plays the role of Diane Sherman which is listed as completed. In 2017, Paulson won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for 'American Crime Story' and in 2016 she won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for the same production. TVLine described Montgomery's character as such, she is a YouTube personality filming Episode 28 of her Mindful Meditations, hoping to soothe, inspire and heal her followers.
Issa Rae as Callie Josephson
Rae is known for her roles as Issa Dee in 'Insecure' in which she serves as a producer as well, and April Williams in 'Little' (2019). She has producer credits for productions such as 'The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl' (2013), 'A Black Lady Sketch Show' (2019), 'The Lovebirds' (2020), 'Dark City Beneath the Beat' and the upcoming 'Seen & Heard' which is in pre-production. Her recent acting roles include Dr Indira in 'BoJack Horseman' (2018), her appearance in Drake's 'Nice for What' music video, and herself in '#BlackAF' (2020). In 2020, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for 'Insecure' and Outstanding Variety Sketch Series for 'A Black Lady Sketch Show'. She also won a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series for 'Insecure', and was nominated for a Gold Derby TV Award for Comedy Actress for the same production. TVLine described Josephson's character as such, she is a well-connected philanthropist whose prep school network leads her to the highest levels of government.
The show's synopsis as per reports reads, "'Coastal Elites' spotlights five distinct and impassioned points-of-view across the United States during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, per the official logline. When the shutdown forces these characters to cope in isolation, they react with frustration, hilarity, and introspection.” Watch the trailer below.
Catch 'Coastal Elites' on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at 8/7 c on HBO.