Kaley Cuoco joins Ray Romano, Joshua Jackson in HBO Max’s new family drama
Veteran actress Kaley Cuoco is set to play an elegance-personified character in HBO Max's latest TV series. 'The Big Bang Theory' star, who became a household name with the hit sitcom, has joined 'How to Survive Without Me' alongside Ray Romano and Joshua Jackson. Written by Greg Berlanti and Bash Doran, the drama marks her latest TV project amid her lead role in MGM+'s 'Vanished'. Cuoco plays Kate on the show currently in development.
According to Variety, the official logline for the show reads, "In the wake of matriarch Beverly’s passing, the De Angelis family has begun to drift, unsure how to manage their complicated, evolving lives without her guidance, but in true Beverly fashion, she found a way to keep running the show from the beyond. Should they wish to experience Beverly’s final work, the family must find the time — and make the effort — to remain connected and be there for each other through all of life’s challenges yet to come." The outlet also had a character description for Cuoco's Kate. "The eldest daughter, who inherited her mother’s perfectionism, elegance, and organizational prowess. Balancing her own marriage and motherhood, along with a full-time job as an interior designer, Kate presents an immaculate image to the world — but her perfect facade masks deeper wounds she’s never fully addressed." This will be a stark contrast to the roles she has previously essayed in her storied career.
Cuoco reunites with Berlanti, marking their second collaboration at the streamer. She previously starred in his 'The Flight Attendant' as lead, Cassie Bowden. The dark comedy thriller spanning two seasons earned the 40-year-old two Emmy nominations. In a statement announcing her casting on the show, Sarah Aubrey, head of Max Original Programming, said Cuoco was 'an inspired choice' to play Kate. "With her incredible range, she is a perfect fit for the role. Her previous work with Greg Berlanti on ‘The Flight Attendant’ showed us the magic of their creative partnership, and we’re excited to see them reunite and capture that spark again."
On the series front, the streamer has also issued character bios for Romano and Jackson. The latter plays Cooper, a chef in a dining club in LA. Described as confident, Jackson's character also holds a secret "that could destroy both his lifelong friendships and the culinary career he’s built in his mother’s honor." As for Romano, his character, Leo, has his domestic issues to the fore. A widower, he plays a lead role as the central figure for their adult children as they navigate life's challenges.
The slice-of-life drama's synopsis and the characters' descriptions suggest 'How to Survive Without Me' will likely be an emotional affair. At the time of writing, there is no word on a potential release date, the number of episodes, or a first-look. With casting updates trickling in, it's safe to speculate that a fall 2026 release may be on the cards, with more updates to follow in the upcoming weeks.
