Office-ally back to TV
Carell signs recurring role in Apple series
Steve Carell has been on a serious movie streak, but he’s about to break it by returning to his television roots. The Massachusetts native has reportedly signed on to play the male lead on an upcoming morning show drama that Apple has in the works. Care ll, who was in town just last week to promote his latest film, “Beautiful Boy,” is set to star alongside Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon in an untitled project, the Hollywood Reporter revealed. His part in the show will be Carell’s first recurring role on a TV series since he bid adieu to “The Office” in 2011. Since parting ways with Michael Scott, his famous character on the NBC comedy, Carell has been hitting the big screen — and hard. His career has brought him to play everyone from Bobby Riggs in “Battle of the Sexes,” to a Vietnam vet in “Last Flag Flying,” to Donald Rumsfeld in “Vice,” which is hitting theaters Christmas Day. But now, Carell, who also happens to own the Marshfield Hills General Store, is giving his former medium another go. Many details of the forthcoming TV project are still under wraps — like when and how exactly Apple will let viewers see it — but we do know the plot will center on the cutthroat world of morning media. It’s reportedly already been picked up for two seasons, and filming will kick off next week in Los Angeles. Carell will apparently play Mitch Kessler, an anchor who’s desperately trying to stay on top as his industry goes through drastic changes. The series, which will be directed by Mimi Leder, will also mark Aniston’s return to the realm of television. The “Friends” alum and her Echo Films partner Kristin Hahn, as well as Witherspoon and Lauren Levy Neustadter of “Hello Sunshine” will serve as just some of the show’s executive producers.