Earlier this year it was reported that Steven Soderbergh’s lo-fi 2009 flick, The Girlfriend Experience, had been picked up by Starz. Spinning on the current trend of re-imagining movies into longer narratives for serials, the TV network placed an order for a 13-episode series. Now the project has found its lead in Riley Keough.
According to reports, the show will follow a similar premise to the movie:
“… which explores the relationships of the most exclusive courtesans who provide their clients with far more than just sex. These purveyors – or GFEs (Girlfriend Experience) – share intimacies more common to romantic partners or husbands and wives, becoming quasi-lovers and confidants who are richly paid for their time.”
Slated to be an anthology series, the show’s direction may take a different approach than Soderbergh’s original feature. For this version, he’ll sit out on directorial duties, instead taking an executive producer role alongside Philip Fleishman. Indie filmmakers Amy Seimetz (Sun Don’t Shine) and Lodge Kerrigan (Clean, Shaven) have already written the season, and aim to split the directorial duties in half.
So far, Keough has been building a back catalogue of solid supporting roles, with turns in Orlando Bloom-vehicle, The Good Doctor and rock-n-roll romp, The Runaways. 2012 marked a turnaround for Keough, as she made waves in Magic Mike and snagged a starring role opposite Juno Temple in Jack And Diane. Before she graces the small screen for The Girlfriend Experience, she’ll be seen in theatres for Mad Max: Fury Road and family drama, The Greens Are Gone.
There’s nothing yet revealed about the nature of her character, or indeed how she’ll handle a recurring role in an anthology series. We can only assume should the show be a success, that each season will focus on a different ‘girlfriend’ – and this season it’s Keough.
More news on The Girlfriend Experience as it lands.