'What/If': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything else you need to know about Netflix Original starring Renée Zellweger
Netflix new anthology series 'What/If' dropped on the streaming giant last month — and from the looks of it, everyone is just a pawn in Renée Zellweger’s chess game. The Oscar-winning actress takes on her first major TV role in the streaming giant's new thriller anthology, which questions "what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things".
Mike Kelley ('Revenge', 'Swingtown') serves as showrunner and writer. He will also executive produce with Melissa Loy for Page Fright, Alex Gartner, Charles Roven for Atlas Entertainment, Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke for Compari Entertainment. Jackie Levine of Compari Entertainment will be co-executive producer.
Release date
All 10 episodes of 'What/If' season 1 can be streamed on Netflix. And after the successful response from viewers, there are high chances that the series might be renewed for season 2. Though there is no confirmation on it as of now, if 'What/If' does get renewed, the new season will be released sometime in 2020.
Plot
"What if I made you an offer, too extraordinary to refuse? For anything and anyone," Zellweger's says in a voiceover as she is shown walking into a party.
Part 1 of the series stars Zellweger who plays powerful business mogul and venture capitalist Ann Montgomery, who invests millions in a pair of cash-strapped San Francisco newlyweds -- Lisa (Jane Levy), struggling to keep her biotech start-up afloat, and Sam (Blake Jenner), a washed-up MLB pitcher-turned-paramedic, both in desperate need of a financial windfall.
Each season deals with a different morality tale and hinges on “the power of a single fateful decision to change the trajectory of an entire life”. Netflix is still keeping all plot details to itself. Netflix had said that each season will tackle a different morality tale "inspired by the culturally consequential source material."
Cast
Renée Zellweger
Zellweger plays a powerful business mogul who invests millions in a pair of cash-strapped San Francisco newlyweds. The actress has resumed adding work on her CV after a 6 year long hiatus from 2010, and her latest movie will see her in the role of Judy Garland in biopic 'Judy.' She has previously starred in acclaimed movies like 'Nurse Betty' (2000), for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical. Her most famous role has been that of Bridget Jones. She received her first Academy Award nomination for that role, which was followed by her second Oscar-nominated role in the musical 'Chicago' (2002).
Jane Levy
Levy plays cash strapped newlywed Lisa, who is struggling to keep her biotech start-up afloat in San Francisco. The actress is known for her work in 'Shameless' (2011), 'Castle Rock', 'Evil Dead' (2013), 'About Alex' (2014), 'Bang Bang Baby' (2014), 'The Pretenders' (2018). She played the lead role in the hit TV sitcom 'Suburgatory' (2011). Forbes named her as one of the handful of entertainment stars on their list of 30 under 30 who are 'reinventing the world'.
Blake Jenner
Blake Jenner plays Sam, a washed-up MLB pitcher-turned-paramedic, who is given a helping hand by Zellweger's character.
Blake is known for his role as Ryder, the star football player/lead vocalist on the 4th season of the FOX hit, 'Glee'.
Writer/showrunner
Mike Kelley
Mike Kelley ('Revenge', 'Swingtown') serves as showrunner and writer. He is known for his work on 'Revenge' (2011), 'Jericho' (2006), 'One Tree Hill', 'The OC' and 'Swingtown'.
Trailer
Netflix has released a first-look teaser, which gives a sense of the mysterious tone of the series and shows Zellweger’s enigmatic character Anne asking: “What if I made you an offer too extraordinary to refuse? For anything, and anyone, to be yours for the taking. The players are all arranged. What would you risk for a chance to have it all?”
She’s later shown dangling a pawn and then dropping it, revealing a board of toppled-over chess pieces.
Where to watch
The show can be streamed on Netflix.
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