In an age when most cooking shows have a component of reality competitions, Julia Child somehow retains her cultural cache. Months after the release of the documentary JuliaHBO is gaining popularity on its topic by announcing another Juliaa television drama based on the life of The French chef star.
Instead of focusing on how Julia Child became the author of published cookbooks in her 40s, for example Julie and Julia, HBO focuses on her life as a television pioneer. In early 1963, Child was the host The French chef, a revolutionary public television cooking program that taught millions to heat food in a way that is good. It turns out that you can’t just pour a box of kraft pasta and cheese in a blender, add some ice-cold water and finish dinner. No, Julia Child, pulling the pans off her board, made French cuisine accessible to all.
Don’t worry: these aren’t the ones who wrap actors in prostheses to look exactly like a favorite historical figure. Instead, prolific English actor Sarah Lancashire will play Child, taking the proverbial spatula from Meryl Streep, who won an Oscar for her role as Child in Julie and Julia. And yes, Lancashire is nailing Child’s infallible baritone, if you’re still wondering.
However, perhaps the real casting coup goes to David Hyde Pierce, who plays Paul Child, Julia’s husband. This casting is inspired. Not because Pierce looks like Paul or anything, but because Stanley Tucci played him Julie and Julia, and who the hell wants to follow that? It looks like Pierce will please Child Stans (who just needs to be called “kids”).
Julia is a very prestigious HBO show, so the cast is tidy. Baby Neuwirth, Brittany Bradford, Fran Kranz and Fiona Glascott complete the cast, while Isabella Rossellini, Judith Light and James Cromwell will appear for some guest appearances. Who wouldn’t want all these stars in bouillabaisse or a nice stew? Hmmm, James Cromwell.
Julia premieres on HBO Max on March 31