Renee Zellweger heading to TV in Netflix series What/If

Renee Zellweger will topline ‘What/If’ an anthology series for Netflix.

This will be the first starring role for the Oscar-winning actor on a television show. But given this is an anthology series, Zellweger may only appear for a single season. Right now she is only contracted to be a series regular for one year.

What/If is a social thriller that examines the consequences of a good person deciding to do a bad thing. Each season will address a different scenario that is inspired by a culturally relevant event.

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According to Deadline, in the 10-episode first season, Zellweger stars as Anne, a powerful and charismatic venture capitalist who talks a pair of newlyweds into an ethically dubious deal which promises to land them the financial security they crave.

Zellweger’s character is described as manipulative but alluring, and brimming with damaging secrets, including an incident that set her life’s trajectory when she was young.

The series is created and written by Mike Kelley (Revenge, Swingtown) who is also executive producing along with Melissa Loy for Page Fright. Robert Zemeckis the Oscar-winning director of Forrest Gump and Back to the Future will also serve as an executive producer, along with Jack Rapke for Compari Entertainment. Atlas Entertainment will also produce.

Phillip Noyce (Roots) will direct the series and executive produce the first two episodes.

Zellweger is known for her roles in movies like Jerry Maguire, Chicago, and Bridget Jones’s Diary. She was most recently seen on the big screen after a long hiatus in Bridget Jones’s Baby.

The role in What/If will be an interesting one for Zellweger as it gives her an opportunity to explore a character over a longer period of time than her movie roles have. The series could also bring her to the attention of younger viewers for whom streaming services are their major source of entertainment.

Based on its description, What/If could do quite well for Netflix. It sounds a bit like a cross between the anthology series The Sinner and Black Mirror, both popular shows that explore moral and ethical issues.

We’ll see what niche What/If  carves out for itself when it hits the streamer.

No premiere date has been set for the series, but check back with Show Snob for updates.