Betsy Brandt, who plays Marie Schrader — sister-in-law of Walter White — in AMC’s Breaking Bad will be co-starring opposite Michael J. Fox in his new comedy series.
The series, which is currently untitled, is inspired by Fox’s real life. He plays Mike Burnaby, a former lead anchor for a New York TV station who is forced to take time off from his job because of his Parkinson’s disease. Burnaby then decides to go back to work and has to manage being a husband and father while working and dealing with his disease. Brandt will play his wife, who works at their daughter’s high school.
The series has been given a 22-episode order by NBC, the same network that aired Family Ties , the show that made Fox famous three decades ago. According to Deadline , not only did NBC outbid the other networks, but it also agreed to shoot the series in New York — where Fox lives — which is unusual for a comedy series. The only other half-hour comedy shot in New York is 30 Rock .
NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said:
“From the moment we met with Michael to hear his unique point of view about this new show, we were completely captivated and on board. He is utterly relatable, optimistic, and in a class by himself, and I have no doubt that the character he will create – and the vivid family characters surrounding him – will be both instantly recognizable and hilarious.”
The pilot will be directed by Will Gluck, who directed Easy A and Friends with Benefits.
In addition to Fox, Brandt will be joining Wendell Pierce, Conor Romero, Jack Gore, and Katie Finneran.
Breaking Bad will return for the second half of its fifth and final season on July 14.
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