'night, Mother's Blethyn Lands NBC Pilot

By Andrew Gans
March 28, 2005

Brenda Blethyn, who was recently seen on Broadway in the short-lived revival of 'night, Mother, has been cast in a new television pilot.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Blethyn will star in a new comedy for NBC-TV. The program, according to the industry paper, concerns a "middle-aged woman who leaves her picture-perfect family life for a divorce and a job." Blethyn will star in the central role of the as-of-yet untitled Holly Hester project.

Brenda Blethyn made her Broadway debut earlier this season opposite Edie Falco in the revival of 'night, Mother. She received a Theatre World Award for her performance in the 1991 production of Mrs. Warren's Profession at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Her London stage work includes The Beaux Stratagem, Dalliance, The Guardsman, The Mysteries, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tales From the Vienna Woods, Born Yesterday, A Doll’s House, An Ideal Husband, Wildest Dreams, Habeas Corpus, Steaming, Benefactors (Olivier Award Best Actress nomination) and Mrs. Warren's Profession. On screen Blethyn has been seen in "The Witches," "A River Runs Through It," "Secrets and Lies" (Golden Globe Award and Oscar nomination for Best Actress), "Girl’s Night," "Lovely and Amazing," "Saving Grace" (Golden Globe nomination) and "Little Voice," which won her additional Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.

Blethyn's upcoming projects include "Piccadilly Jim" and "Pride and Prejudice."