In recent years, Ben Stiller has preferred to work behind the camera, taking on roles as a director and executive producer for Apple TV+’s Severance. Now, he appears poised to return to the forefront as the lead in a new television series, marking his first major role since the early ’90s when he starred in The Ben Stiller Show.
Deadline reports that Stiller is set to star in The Band, an upcoming comedy-drama that delves into the world of the music industry. He will play Oscar, a character reminiscent of Simon Cowell, described as “a talent mogul plagued by scandal who must put together a new act to redeem his career—and possibly his spirit.” This new act is a boy band, drawing parallels with One Direction, which was formed by Cowell himself.
As The Band is still in the early stages of development, HBO has not yet confirmed a series order. However, with Stiller on board as a lead actor and executive producer through his production company, Red Hour Films, it suggests HBO is committed to bringing this project to life.
Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, known for their work on TBS’s Search Party, co-created The Band and will serve as executive producers and showrunners. The production company Media Res, responsible for both The Morning Show and Severance alongside Red Hour, will also be involved in bringing The Band to fruition.
Currently, Stiller is the only talent officially attached to the project. If all goes well, the series is expected to air on HBO and Max in the future.
