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Emmy Rossum will star in a limited series about Los Angeles billboard icon Angelyne, written and executive produced by her husband Sam Esmail, Tracking Board has confirmed.
Rossum will play the enigmatic Angelyne, real name Renee Goldberg, who was a pioneer of the “famous for being famous” type of celebrity, known for appearing on billboards and driving a pink Cadillac around Los Angeles. Her origin story was uncovered in a Hollywood Reporter expose by Gary Baum, who will serve as a consultant on the series, which is now being shopped to networks.
“I have always been fascinated by the enigma that is Angelyne,” Rossum said in a statement. “At a young age, I can vividly remember staring up at her on a billboard above me and wondering, ‘Who is that woman?’ Gary Baum’s investigative journalism has finally unearthed the true, complex identity of the infamous woman who has fascinated Los Angeles for over 30 years. From the moment I read Gary’s recent piece, I knew I had to tell this story. It’s a poignant and bizarre tale about the hunger for fame, the sexualization of women and the erasing of past traumas.”
Baum’s article was published in August. Rossum is executive producing through her Grey Matters Productions banner and Esmail through his EsmailCorp. Esmail’s manager Chad Hamilton will also serve as an EP through Anonymous Content.
Rossum and Esmail met on the set of his directorial debut Comet. She is now the star of Showtime’s Shameless, which was recently renewed for a ninth season, and he is the mastermind behind USA’s Mr. Robot, as well as Amazon’s Julia Roberts drama Homecoming, which recently landed a two-season series order.
Rossum is represented by CAA and MGMT Entertainment.
Linda Ge | TV Editor
