Charlie Kaufman’s FX Pilot ‘How and Why’ Casts Catherine Keener, Sally Hawkins

Michael Cera and John Hawkes also on board

Catherine Keener
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Charlie Kaufman‘s upcoming FX pilot “How and Why” has cast Oscar nominees Catherine Keener and Sally Hawkins.

The series — about a man who can explain how and why a nuclear reactor works, but is clueless about life — marks the “Synecdoche, New York” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” writer Kaufman’s return to the small screen. He previously worked on the television shows “Ned and Stacey” and “The Dana Carvey Show.”

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Kaufman will write and direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. Anthony Bregman (“Synecdoche, New York”) will also executive produce.

Should the pilot receive a series order, Hawkins will be a series regular and Keener will be a guest star. It wasn’t immediately clear which characters Keener (pictured) and Hawkins will play, but the casting reunites Keener, who starred in “Synecdoche, New York,” with Kaufman and Bregman.

The series previously cast Michael Cera and John Hawkes. “Winter’s Bone” star Hawkes is playing a TV host who’s lost his way, while Cera will portray his boss.

Hawkins most recently received an Oscar nomination for “Blue Jasmine.” Keener has previously received two nominations, and John Hawkes was nominated for “Winter’s Bone.”

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