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Rita Wilson Joins HBO Max Drama Pilot 'How to Survive Without Me'

Entertainment5/5/2026
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Rita Wilson has been cast in a series regular role in the HBO Max drama pilot 'How to Survive Without Me.' She will play Beverly, the recently deceased matriarch whose family must learn to navigate life without her. The pilot is written and executive produced by Greg Berlanti.

Facts First

  • Rita Wilson joins the cast as Beverly, a writer-director and matriarch who lost her battle with cancer.
  • The pilot features an ensemble cast including Ray Romano, Joshua Jackson, and Kaley Cuoco.
  • The story follows a family learning to stay connected after the loss of their matriarch.
  • Greg Berlanti co-wrote the pilot and serves as an executive producer.
  • The project is a Max Original from Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions.

What Happened

Rita Wilson has joined the cast of the HBO Max drama pilot 'How to Survive Without Me' in a series regular role. She will play Beverly, an elegant, loving, prolific writer-director and matriarch who lost her battle with cancer. The pilot's story, by Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran, and Robbie Rogers, follows the De Angelis family as they drift apart after Beverly's passing, only to find she left a way to guide them from beyond. The cast also includes Ray Romano, Joshua Jackson, Kaley Cuoco, Julia Schlaepfer, Jack Ball, Kylar Miranda, and Julian Grey.

Why this Matters to You

If you enjoy family dramas or the work of Greg Berlanti, this pilot could become a new series for you to watch. The project brings together established actors like Rita Wilson with a creative team known for producing popular television. A successful pilot may lead to a full series order on the Max streaming library.

What's Next

The pilot is in production at Warner Bros. Television (WBTV), with Berlanti Productions under an overall deal there. The executive producers, including Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran, and Sarah Schechter, will oversee the pilot's development. HBO Max's head of original programming, Sarah Aubrey, and WBTV's president of creative affairs, Clancy Collins White, will ultimately decide whether to order the pilot to series.

Perspectives

“
Studio Executives express immense pride and enthusiasm regarding the casting of Rita Wilson, describing her as an 'extraordinary talent' and 'incomparable' performer who is uniquely suited to anchor the production.
“
The Show's Creators highlight the personal inspiration behind the project's exploration of grief and celebrate the assembly of a 'dream cast' centered around Wilson's emotional intelligence.