Laura Benanti Tapped for Dance-Centric Fox Pilot Big Leap

Tony Award winner Laura Benanti has landed her next screen role, joining the cast of the Fox pilot Big Leap. The one-hour drama, inspired by the U.K. documentary limited series Big Ballet, will follow a group of amateur dancers as they compete (on a reality show) to be a part of a modern version of Swan Lake.

Benanti, according to Variety, will play Paula Dirks, a tap dancer who used to be a white-collar executive at an auto company and finds a sense of freedom in performing.

The pilot hails from Liz Heldens, who will write and executive produce (Sue Naegle joins her on the latter). Previously announced cast members include Ser’Darius Blain, Ray Cham, Scott Foley, Jon Rudnitsky, Simone Recasner, and Teri Polo. Production is expected to begin later this year.

Benanti, whose Broadway credits include She Loves Me, My Fair Lady, and a Tony-winning turn in Gypsy, is also working behind the camera as an executive producer on Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020. Inspired by her #SunshineSongs social media campaign, the HBO Max project follows a group of student performers whose spring musical was canceled due to the pandemic.

From Gypsy to Eliza: Celebrating the Career of Laura Benanti

Laura Benanti_Tony Awards Crop_HR — From Gypsy to Eliza: Celebrating the Career of Laura Benanti

46 PHOTOS

Laura Benanti and Richard Chamberlain in <i>The Sound of Music</i> — Laura Benanti and Richard Chamberlain in *The Sound of Music*

Laura Benanti in <i>The Sound of Music</i> — Laura Benanti in *The Sound of Music*

Laura Benanti in <i>Into the Woods</i> — Laura Benanti in *Into the Woods*

The_Wedding_Singer_5th_Avenue_Theatre_Production_Photos_2006_Stephen_Lynch_Laura_Benanti_HR — Stephen Lynch and Laura Benanti in *The Wedding Singer*

Laura Benanti in <i>The Wedding Singer</i> — Laura Benanti in *The Wedding Singer*

Gypsy_Broadway_Production_Photos_2017_Boyd_Gaines_Laura_Benanti_Patti_LuPone_HR — Boyd Gaines, Laura Benanti, and Patti LuPone in *Gypsy*

Joan Marcus

Laura Benanti in <i>Gypsy</i> — Laura Benanti in *Gypsy*

Kristine Nielsen and Laura Benanti in <i>Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them</i> — Kristine Nielsen and Laura Benanti in *Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them*

Joan Marcus

In_The_Next_Room_Broadway_Production_Photos_2017_Michael_Cerveris_Laura_Benanti_HR — Michael Cerveris and Laura Benanti in *In the Next Room*

In_The_Next_Room_Broadway_Production_Photos_2009_Quincy_Tyler_Bernstine_Laura_Benanti_HR — Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Laura Benanti in *In the Next Room*

In_The_Next_Room_Broadway_Production_Photos_2009_Laura_Benanti_HR — Laura Benanti in *In the Next Room*

Laura Benanti in <i>Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown</i> — Laura Benanti in *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown*

Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Laura Benanti and Justin Guarini in <i>Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown</i> — Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Laura Benanti and Justin Guarini in *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown*

Laura Benanti on NBC's "The Playboy Club"

Laura_Benanti_Tony_Awards_2013_HR — Laura Benanti performs at the 2013 Tony Awards

Laura Benanti and Christian Borle rehearse "The Sound of Music Live!"

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