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Elizabeth Olsen delighted audiences with her most recent performance as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in Marvel’s WandaVision. While Olsen has played the role for years, the Disney+ series truly allowed her to expand her range and show off what she can do as a performer. Now, she’s set to venture into even more dramatic territory with HBO Max’s Love and Death limited series. While Olsen is set to take the lead, it now looks like she’ll be starring alongside some major talent in the form of Breaking Bad alum Jesse Plemons!
HBO Max formally announced that Jesse Plemons would be starring opposite Elizabeth Olsen in Love and Death. The limited series centers on the true story of Candy Montgomery (played by Olsen), who murdered neighbor Betty Gore with an ax in 1980s Wylie, Texas. Plemons will play the role of Allan Gore, Betty’s husband who was engaged in an affair with Montgomery. And the logline for the show subtly teases an intense story:
Two church going couples, enjoying small town family life in Texas, until somebody picks up an axe.
Love and Death is inspired by the book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs as well as a collection of articles from Texas Monthly (Love & Death in Silicon Prairie, Part I & II). Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley will write the series and executive produce under his own production banner alongside Nicole Kidman and Per Saari through Blossom Films. Lesli Linka Glatter, of True Blood and Homeland fame, is set to direct the series.
Jesse Plemons has emerged as one of the brightest stars in Hollywood, and he’s become a fan favorite due to his roles in both TV and film. The actor had his big break when he was cast in the critically acclaimed NBC drama Friday Night Lights. But he would gain even more recognition for his acclaimed role as the villainous Todd Alquist during the final season of Breaking Bad. He also starred in the FX anthology series Fargo, which earned him rave reviews and a slew of award nominations. And in the world of film, he’s had roles in movies like Game Night, The Irishman and last year’s Judas and the Black Messiah.
Given the actor’s body of work he’s definitely a great fit for this project. Jesse Plemons is more than familiar with intense material, and he himself is able to bring a certain level of intensity to a role. All in all, he’s incredibly subtle, but his performances hit hard. It’ll be interesting to see what he and Elizabeth Olsen can bring to Love and Death when it eventually premieres on HBO Max, which you can sign up for using this link.
