Jake Gyllenhaal is heading to the small screen for the first time, with the Oscar-nominated actor teaming up with HBO to lead an adaptation of Gary Shteyngart’s critically acclaimed book Lake Success.
Deadline reports that the series will see Gyllenhaal portraying Barry Cohen, a “narcissistic, self-deluded and hilariously divorced from the real world hedge fund manager who flees his family, his past and the SEC on a cross-country bus ride in search of his college girlfriend and a last chance at romantic redemption. Meanwhile, back in Manhattan, his brilliant wife Seema struggles to raise their autistic son and begins a tragicomic love affair of her own.
“Gary’s novel is a beautifully executed character study highlighting the depth of human contradiction and complication, set against the timely backdrop of America today,” said Gyllenhaal and his producing partner Riva Marker of Nine Stories. “We are thrilled to partner with HBO, who has consistently been home to some of the most exciting and acclaimed premium content over the past two decades.”
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Author Stheyngart is adapting his novel with Tom Spezialy (Watchmen), with the duo also serving as showrunners.
