'Coastal Elites': Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about the HBO pandemic-set comedy starring Sarah Paulson

The movie is directed by Jay Roach, with Paul Rudnick serving as writer

UPDATED SEP 3, 2020

Reportedly called a "socially distanced comedy," 'Coastal Elites' was first to release in New York at a public theatre. Since the pandemic hit, the course has changed and this star-studded film is a 90-minute special that will air on cable this September. Here is what we know of the upcoming scripted series' release.

Release date

'Coastal Elites' will air on Saturday, September 12, 2020.

Plot

The 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.”

TV line also gave character descriptions that read as such.

Miriam Nessler (Midler) 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.

Sharynn Tarrows (Dever) 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.

Mark Hesterman (Levy) is a young actor in West Hollywood videoconferencing with his therapist at a moment of peak career and personal stress.

Clarissa Montgomery (Paulson) is a YouTube personality filming Episode 28 of her Mindful Meditations, hoping to soothe, inspire and heal her followers.
Callie Josephson (Rae) is a well-connected philanthropist whose prep school network leads her to the highest levels of government.

Cast

Dan Levy as Mark Hesterman

Dan Levy attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Levy is known for his role as James in 'Admission' (2013) and Jack Dayton in 'Cyperstalker' (2012). He is also a writer and he is credited for 'Schitt's Creek' (2015-2020). His recent acting roles include 'Robot Bullies' (2017), 'Modern Family' (2018), 'The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show' (2019) and 'Dear Class of 2020' (2020)

Sarah Paulson as Clarissa Montgomery

Sarah Paulson attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Paulson is a Golden Globe winner, 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 her many roles in the hit series 'American Horror Story.' Her recent works include 'Oceans' 8' (2019), 'Bird Box' (2018), 'Abominable' (2019), 'The Goldfinch' (2019) and 'Mrs. America' (2020)

The rest of the cast includes Kaitlyn Dever as Sharynn Tarrows, Issa Rae as Callie Josephson and Bette Midler as Miriam Nessler.

Creators

Director Jay Roach attends the special screening of Liongate's "Bombshell" at Regency Village Theatre on December 10, 2019 in Westwood, California.

The movie is directed by Jay Roach who is known for 'Meet the Parents' and 'Game Change' with Paul Rudnick who's known for 'Sister Act' and 'The Stepford Wives' serving as writer. Scott Chaloff, Michelle Graham, Roach, Rudnick, Jefferey Seller and Flody Suarez serve as executive producers.

Trailer

Where to watch

Catch 'Coastal Elites' on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 8/7 c on HBO.

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