By Nate Bloom
Contributing Columnist
Four New Series and a Musical Special!
“I Love L.A.” is an HBO original comedy TV series that premieres on Nov. 2 (the first season is 8 episodes). I venture to say that the 5 lead characters are supposed to be about 28 years old. As I write this, “they” haven’t released a lot of plot details. Here’s the ‘official’ premise: “A codependent friend group reunites, navigating how the time apart, ambition and new relationships have changed them.”
Rachel Sennott stars as Maza. She also created the series and wrote the first season’s scripts. Even though she isn’t Jewish, Sennott got her breakthrough role playing a directionless young bisexual Jewish woman in “Shiva Baby” (2020), a well-received movie.
Two “I Love L.A.” characters are played by Jewish actors. ODESSA A’ZION plays Tallulah. A’zion is the daughter of actress PAMELA SEGALL ADLON, 59 (“Better Things” star; and many other credits).
Her parents are long divorced and, A’zion is not close to her father, who isn’t Jewish. He has lived in Europe for decades.
A’zion has a big role in “Marty Supreme,” a comedy film that will open in December. TIMOTHEE CHALAMET and GWYNETH PALROW star.
JORDAN FIRSTMAN, 34, plays Charlie. He’s a comedy writer and actor. He really got noticed for his skits on Instagram called “Impressions” during the Covid pandemic (2020). He’s very out as gay and has worked with LGBTQ organizations. (My guess is that he will play a gay character in “I Love L.A.”).
“It’s Her Fault” is an 8-episode mystery series that will begin streaming on Peacock on Nov. 6. The stars are Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning. Here’s the premise: Marissa Irvine (Snook) arrives at a house to pick up her son Milo from a play date, but when she gets there, she can’t find Milo, sparking a parent’s nightmare.
MINKIE SPIRO, 54, co-produced the series and she directed half of the episodes. She’s a respected British TV director. Her parents, ROBIN SPIRO (now deceased), and NITZA SPIRO (a Hebrew language teacher), founded “Spiro’s Ark,” an important London adult school featuring many types of Jewish education.
“Death by Lightning” is a historical drama miniseries that starts streaming on Netflix on Nov. 6. The series is based on the short presidency (March-July 1881) of President James Garfield, and his assassination on July 2. Most viewed Garfield as honest and smart, and believed that he would’ve made a good President. However, a mentally-ill man wanted a high-level government job and he killed Garfield because Garfield, and other administration officials, turned him down.
This series was created by MIKE MAKOWSKY, 34. He’s best known for writing and directing “Bad Education,” an HBO (2020) original movie that won the Emmy for the best TV movie. It was based on a real story about a “highly respected” school superintendent, and some aides, who stole millions of dollars from the Roslyn, Long Island, school district. Roslyn is an affluent and heavily Jewish suburb. Makowsky went to Roslyn schools.
“Wicked for Good,” is a film that opens in theaters on Nov. 21. Of course, it’s a sequel to the “Wicked” film that came out in 2024 and made $750M(!) worldwide. An astonishing amount. (Later this month I will tell you all the “Wicked for Good” “Jewish connections”).
A two-hour “Wicked” “special event” will air on NBC on Nov. 6 (8 p.m.). It will stream on Peacock on Nov. 7. The “Wicked” special features Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the stars of the “Wicked” movies. They will host and sing. The publicity “promises” that the two stars will be joined by “Wicked” co-stars and “surprise” guests.
ETHAN SLATER, 32, is very likely a guest. He’s been Grande’s “beau” for two years. He has a biggish film role as ‘Boq Woodsman’ in both “Wicked” films.
“Phur1bus” is a sci-fi drama that begins streaming on Apple+ on Nov. 7. The series is set in Albuquerque. Rhea Seehorn stars as Carol Sturka, an author who seems to be the only person immune to the effects of a new virus. The infected are perpetually content and optimistic!
MIRIAM SHOR, 54, plays Helen. Shor is described on IMDB as a “star” in the series, but there isn’t any info “out there” about any character except Carol. Shor has many theater, film and TV credits (mostly short-lived series), but I can’t point to a credit that I have most watched.
Shor’s father was Jewish and her mother was not. She’s not religious. Her parents divorced when Shor was 7. Part of each year she lived with her father in Michigan and part in Italy with her mother.
