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Entertainment December 19, 2016
Julia Roberts is following the latest Hollywood trend – switching to the small screen. Her starring role in the upcoming series “Today Will Be Different” will propel Roberts into the world of television.
Prior to this series, Roberts has only appeared in films. Classics such as “Pretty Women” and “Erin Brockovich” have propelled her to movie star status, with the latter film earning her multiple awards.
Her upcoming project, however, is based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name written by Maria Semple. While no network has yet been committed to the series, Variety reports that Annapurna Pictures is behind the project.
The Oscar-winner is not the only movie star to take the TV bait. Roberts’ “August: Osage County” co-star Meryl Streep may also star in a J.J. Abrams upcoming series “The Nix.” Just like Roberts’ show, Streep’s dip into the world of television will be based on a novel.
READ MORE: Meryl Streep Is Queen of the Golden Globes
Television has been a form of media looked down on by some, particularly A-list actors and actresses. Yet the decline of the theater and the rise of streaming services have prompted many movie stars to take on TV roles instead.
Vanity Fair notes that many other actors known for their work in the film world have taken the leap into television. Stars such as Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore will all star in TV series to be released in 2017.
However, this trending switch to the small screen doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice their pay check. Meryl Streep will reportedly earn $850,000 per episode for “The Nix.” Though Roberts’ salary has not been released, she will serve as an executive producer of the show in addition to her starring role.
READ MORE: Are Women Going to the Movies Anymore?
While the hefty paycheck may prompt many film stars to try a new medium, following the money isn’t the only motivator. Jane Fonda, movie icon-turned-TV star of “Grace and Frankie” notes that television promotes more creativity and freedom. “We all want to go where the good writing is,” Fonda said.
Though Roberts likely switched to television to stay relevant in the entertainment world, she could have also committed to this role because of the script. Semple, the writer of the novel the show is based on, will also be writing the screenplay. The book’s positive reviews – such as this one by NPR – hint that the series could achieve similar success.
