Ben Stiller has embarked on his next television venture, donning both the director's hat and stepping into the spotlight. The executive producer and helmer behind the acclaimed series "Severance" is poised to take center stage in a compelling dramedy titled "The Band," set to grace the screens of HBO. This promising project, conceived by the creative duo behind "Search Party," Sarah Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, is currently in the developmental stages at the prestigious cable network.
"The Band" weaves its tale within the vibrant tapestry of the music industry. Stiller, who will also lend his expertise as an executive producer through his production banner Red Hour Films, will embody the character of Oscar, a larger-than-life pop impresario and talent mogul engulfed in scandal. Faced with the challenge of forming a fresh act to salvage his career – and possibly his very soul – Oscar's journey promises to be a thrilling ride. Should "The Band" make it to series, it will mark Stiller's triumphant return to a recurring TV acting role since his memorable stints on "Arrested Development," which spanned both its Fox and Netflix eras.
Media Res, the studio responsible for acclaimed Apple TV+ originals such as "The Morning Show" and "Pachinko," is collaborating with HBO to co-produce "The Band." Bliss and Rogers will serve as the showrunners, executive producing alongside Stiller, John Lesher for Red Hour, Savan Kotecha, and Media Res' Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer.
Beyond "Severance," Stiller's television producing credits are an impressive array, encompassing Showtime's "Escape at Dannemora," The CW's "In the Dark," Comedy Central's "Another Period," and his own 1990s Fox sketch comedy series that bore his name.
Stiller and Red Hour are represented by WME and Sloane Offer, while Bliss and Rogers are under the wings of UTA, Rise Management, and Jackoway Austen. Together, they orchestrate a symphony of talent and creativity that promises to elevate "The Band" to new heights.
