Oscar-nominated actress Toni Collette has landed a lead role in a new Apple TV series. The upcoming show adapts the hit Norwegian series titled Pernille.
Collette plays the title role in Lenni, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Ciarán Hinds, who played Mance Rayder in HBO’s Game of Thrones, is also part of the cast. The supporting ensemble also includes Dan Wyllie, Josh McKenzie, Celeste Barber, Genevieve Hegney, Arka Das, and Wayne Blair.
Collette recently appeared in Netflix’s mystery drama series Wayward. Her upcoming projects include the streamer’s AI thriller 2034, directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The Australian actress has also won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, and received a Tony Award nomination.
What is Toni Collette’s new Lenni show about?
Lenni centers on a child welfare worker who is also a divorced mother of two, played by Collette. According to the official description, she spends her days helping other families while managing the chaos in her own house.
“The season follows Lenni through a new case, where the stakes couldn’t be higher as her work and personal life collides,” reads the logline. The description closely resembles the Norwegian series Pernille, on which Lenni is based. The original follows a single mother of three balancing family responsibilities, social work, and caring for her father.
Production has already kicked off in Australia. Made Up Stories and Keshet International are producing the series, with Sarah Scheller adapting the Norwegian format.
Dearbhla Walsh is attached to direct the series and will executive produce. Henriette Steenstrup, who stars in and created Pernille, will executive produce the series. Collette will join the executive producing team alongside Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, Katie Amos, Avi Nir, Keren Shahar, Bård Fjulsrud, and Tanya Badendyck.
With Collette leading the cast and the original series creator joining behind the scenes, the Apple TV show is poised to make an impression ahead of its debut.
Lenni does not have a premiere date yet.
