Isla Fisher to Lead CBS All Access Dark Comedy Guilty Party

March 5, 2020

After making a name for herself on the big screen for the past 15 years, Isla Fisher (The Beach Bum) is returning to the world of television for the upcoming CBS All Access dark comedy series Guilty Party, according to Variety.

The half-hour series, created by Rebecca Addelman, will follow Fisher as Beth Baker, a discredited journalist who takes on the story of a young mother sentenced to life in prison for maiming and murdering her husband, crimes she says she didn’t commit, in an attempt to rescue her career. While searching for the truth, Beth finds herself contending with Colorado gun-smugglers, clickbait culture, the stagnancy of marriage and her own dark past.

“Guilty Party is a genre-bending show that tackles contemporary issues – the prison system, the death of print journalism and pervasive gun culture, to name a few – but has, at its core, smart, funny, ambitious and deeply complicated female characters,” Addelman said. “It’s been an absolute joy to write and create alongside fabulous studio, network and producing partners, and my hope is that it gives audiences a fresh take on the genre.”

The 44-year-old Australian actress, whose last major TV roles included the soap opera Home and Away in her home country and a recurring part on Arrested Development, will also executive produce the series alongside Addelman, Sam Hansen, Jimmy Miller and Funny or Die’s Joe Farrell, Jim Ziegler and Mike Farah. Trent O’Donnell is attached to both direct and executive produce, while Joe Hardesty is also set to co-executive produce.

“Guilty Party is a wild ride fueled by Beth’s grit, passionate heart and desperation to redeem herself,” Julie McNamara, executive vice president and head of programming for CBS All Access, said. “We knew we needed a magnetic, versatile talent in the role, and Isla perfectly embodies the wholly original character Rebecca created. We are thrilled to add Guilty Party to our growing comedy slate which includes Why Women Kill, No Activity and the upcoming animated Star Trek: Lower Decks.”