Susan Kelechi Watson, one of the stars of NBC’s hit TV show “This is Us,” has landed a role in Sony’s Mister Rogers biopic “You Are My Friend.”
The film stars Tom Hanks as the beloved legendary children’s TV host Fred Rogers.
Directed by Marielle Heller (“Diary of a Teenage Girl”) from a script by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster (“Transparent”), “You Are My Friend” follows a cynical journalist (“Matthew Rhys”) who begrudgingly agrees to do a profile piece on Rogers, but finds his life transformed by the experience. The story is based on a real-life friendship between Rogers and journalist Tom Junod.
Rogers and his celebrated show were also the subject of this year’s critically acclaimed hit documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.” Directed by Morgan Neville, the film sits among the top 15 highest- grossing non-fiction films of all time in theaters.
Sony’s TriStar banner bought the worldwide and domestic rights to “You Are My Friend” back in January. Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf of Big Beach will produce alongside “The Beguiled” producer Youree Henley. Leah Holzer of Big Beach will executive produce, along with Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster. The project originated from a true story developed by Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster, first appearing on the BlackList in 2013.
Hannah Minghella and Shary Shirazi will oversee the project for TriStar.
Watson, who will be in the upcoming third season of “This is Us” premiering September 25, is repped by Authentic Management, UTA, and Jackoway, Austen, Tyerman, Wertheimer.