Ben Stiller to Star in New HBO Dramedy Series

Exciting news for the entertainment industry: Ben Stiller is set to lead a new dramedy series titled “The Band”, currently in development at HBO, as confirmed by Variety.

Inside the Music Industry

The series promises to provide a unique perspective on the music industry, focusing on Oscar (played by Stiller), a pop impresario and talent mogul facing scandal. His mission? To create a new act that could potentially salvage his career—and perhaps his very soul.

Creative Team Behind the Series

Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers are at the helm as executive producers and showrunners. Stiller, alongside John Lesher, will executive produce under their Red Hour Films banner, collaborating with Savan Kotecha, Michael Ellenberg, and Lindsey Springer of Media Res. Notably, Media Res will co-produce the series with HBO.

A Rare Leading Role for Stiller

This role marks a rare opportunity for Stiller to take on a leading acting position, as he has primarily focused on directing and producing in recent years. His notable projects include the acclaimed Apple TV+ series “Severance” and the Showtime limited series “Escape at Dannemora”. Recently, he starred in the streaming comedy film “Nutcrackers” and is set to reprise his role in “Happy Gilmore 2”. Stiller is widely recognized for his performances in iconic films such as “Meet the Parents”, “There’s Something About Mary”, “Zoolander”, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, the “Night at the Museum” franchise, and “Tropic Thunder”. He has also directed and co-written several of these hits.

Representation and Industry Connections

Stiller and Red Hour are represented by WME and Sloane Offer.

Creators with Proven Track Records

Bliss and Rogers, known for co-creating the critically acclaimed TBS series “Search Party”, which ran for five successful seasons, also have credits including the Prime Video series “Mozart in the Jungle” and “Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later”. They are represented by UTA, Rise Management, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

Media Res and Its Ambitious Slate

Michael Ellenberg, a former HBO executive, founded Media Res, which boasts a robust slate that includes “The Morning Show” and “Pachinko” on Apple TV+, as well as upcoming projects like “The Miniature Wife” on Peacock and “Enigma Variations” starring Jeremy Allen White and “Thumblite” featuring Rosamund Pike on Netflix.

Initial Development News

The development of “The Band” was first reported by Deadline.