The Showtime series Masters Of Sex has been something of a runaway success for the network, so it comes as no surprise that it would seek to replicate that by throwing its weight behind another memoir-based project from executive producers Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly. The series now in development is based on the self-penned life story of award-winning US essayist and poet, Mary Karr, and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) is apparently considering jumping aboard as star and executive producer.
Currently the Peck Professor of English Literature at Syracuse University, Karr’s star hit the stratosphere when her first memoir hit the New York Times bestseller list on publication in 1995. Titled The Liars’ Club, it takes an unflinching look at her difficult childhood, growing up in Southeast Texas during the 1960s.
She followed that initial instalment with Cherry in 2000 – which focused on her teenage years and early adulthood – and then with Lit: A Memoir in 2009. That third book looked closely at her alcoholism and her turn toward religion. The project would see Karr add yet another string to her creative bow, as she is set to adapt the books for television herself. She would also co-executive produce the show, with Frank Konigsberg (William And Kate) attached as a producer.
Should this project come together successfully, it presents an exciting prospect for Showtime. At the moment, Masters Of Sex is a stand-out in a generally tired TV landscape. The show offers complex drama and ccharacterization rather than one dimensional people running from zombies or aliens, investigating yet another murder, or sitting in a mysteriously affordable apartment churning out well-worn jokes and catchphrases. With Timberman-Beverly Productions behind this Mary Karr memoir series, and Mary-Louise Parker joining the team, we’re potentially looking at one of the more exciting female-led TV projects to be headed for our screens.
