Ray Romano is stepping into a lead role in HBO Max’s upcoming drama pilot How to Survive Without Mefrom Greg Berlanti, Bash Doran and Warner Bros TV, as per Deadline.
The 68-year-old actor and stand up comedian is set to star as the family patriarch in the new drama, written by Greg and Sarah Schecter Doran from a story they co-wrote with Robbie Rogers, which centers on the family’s life after the death of the matriarch Beverly.
With Beverly gone, the family begins to drift apart. They remain uncertain how to navigate their complicated, changing lives, without her guidance. But Beverly isn’t finished just yet. From beyond, she continues to guide them, if they are willing to put in the effort to stay connected and face life’s challenges together.
In the upcoming show, Ray will take on the role of Leo, who is a newly widowed father suddenly forced into the lead role of a parent, a part he never expected to take on.
As the family recalibrates without their mother, Leo is forced to redefine his role as a parent, stepping out of his wife’s shadow to become the family’s new anchor.
“We are so excited to work with Ray on ‘How to Survive Without Me,’” Sarah Aubrey, head of Max Original Programming, remarked.
Continuing, “The show harkens back to the kinds of aspirational family dramas that Greg does so well, a grounded narrative centered around navigating love, loss, and a one-of-a-kind family. It’s a project designed to return year after year, continually deepening the audience’s connection to these beloved characters and their unique story.”
