Amazon MGM Studios has tapped Penn Badgley to star in a new dark comedy murder mystery. The actor is no stranger to thrillers, having previously led the acclaimed Netflix hit You.
Prime Video has announced a series order for Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, based on Benjamin Stevenson’s bestselling thriller novel of the same name. David Hemingson, best known for writing The Holdovers, will serve as the showrunner and executive producer.
According to the show’s official logline, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone follows Ern Cunningham (Badgley), a mystery-writing expert, who visits his family in Vermont to welcome his brother Michael home from prison. Ern was also the one who helped convict Michael in the first place.
The synopsis adds, “When a frozen body appears, and a snowstorm traps everyone inside, the deaths begin to mount. Everyone in Ern’s family has already killed someone — either by accident or otherwise.”
Why Penn Badgley & David Hemingson make a strong match for Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone
Penn Badgley’s role in You earned him widespread critical acclaim and award nominations. The actor has also starred in thriller films like The Stepfather (2009) and Margin Call (2011).
Meanwhile, David Hemingson has written for multiple beloved television shows over the years. These include How I Met Your Mother, Black-ish, Family Guy, and many more. However, he is best known for writing the 2023 Christmas comedy drama The Holdovers, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Hemingson will now bring his creative flair to Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone. “I’m thrilled to be partnered with Fifth Season and Made Up Stories in bringing Ben’s heartfelt and darkly hilarious whodunit to life,” the writer said in a statement.
Hemingson also expressed excitement about his upcoming collaboration with Badgley. “And we are so lucky to have Penn as our lead,” he said. “I can’t think of any actor better suited to bring Ern’s intensity, brilliance and hilariously dry sense of humor to life.” (via The Hollywood Reporter)
