‘Severance’ Star and Four-Time Oscar Nominee Jane Alexander to Lead Comedy-Drama ‘Lillian, Next Door,’ WME Independent Boards Sales

Jane Alexander (“Kramer vs. Kramer,” “All the President’s Men,” “Severance”), a four-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, is set to star in “Lillian, Next Door. The film begins production this month in Nova Scotia under the direction of SXSW Audience Award-winning director Janice Engel (“Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins”).

Alexander will star opposite Marco Pigossi (“You’re Dating a Narcissist,” “Bone Lake”) and Kanoa Goo (“I Was a Simple Man,” “The Rookie”) in what is described as an “emotionally layered” drama-comedy that centers on an ex-CIA operative with a sly wit who infiltrates the lives of two gay men who move in next door. As secrets unfold, the layers of truth lead to an unexpected friendship and life-altering choices.

Related Stories

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Artists Equity Unveils Writers' Room In-House Development Initiative

“I’ve been wanting to play a female spy for years, so I am excited about stepping into Lillian’s shoes,” said Alexander. “My own relationships with younger people enrich my life in many ways, and I’m excited to explore those dynamics on screen. I’m happy to be filming in Nova Scotia with this cast, crew, and creative team.”

Added Engel: “I love stories of fearless women who commit to something larger than themselves. That’s Lillian, and it’s definitely Jane Alexander. And to have Marco Pigossi and Kanoa Goo as Lillian’s neighbors is a dream. These improbable friends find common ground and create a chosen family. I have my own chosen family, people who understand me and let me be myself authentically. Isn’t that true for so many of us?”

Written by Tim Atkin, a former Coast Guard officer and National Security Council staff member under President Clinton, the story is inspired by lived experiences. Developed and led by a predominantly LGBTQ+ creative team, including director Engel, producer James Egan, writer Atkin, cinematographer Bianca Butti and editor Phyllis Housen, the project is produced by Egan’s Wild at Heart Films, Thom Fitzgerald’s Emotion Pictures and Neal Ludevig’s Snarky Elephant Productions.

Sales will be handled by WME Independent.