According to Deadline, Emmy nominee Jessica Biel has officially signed on for the leading role in the upcoming true-crime limited series titled Candy, which has just been given a series order by Hulu. Biel is set to portray the role of real-life Texas killer Candy Montgomery, replacing Emmy and Golden Globe winner Elisabeth Moss, who was previously attached to lead since last year. The outlet notes that The Handmaid’s Tale star exited the project due to scheduling conflicts.
Biel’s notable TV credits include 7th Heaven, New Girl, BoJack Horseman, The Sinner, and Limetown. For her performance in the first season of The Sinner, Biel earned her first Emmy and Golden Globe nominations both for Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.
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Candy will be based on the real-life story of the titular infamous ax killer and her victim Betty Gore. Set in 1980, Texas, Candy Montgomery (Biel) seemingly had it all – a loving husband with a good job, a daughter and a son, a nice house in the brand new suburbs – so why did she kill her friend from church with an ax?
The series will be written by Robin Veith, with Michael Uppendahl to helm the pilot. It will be executive produced by Biel and Michelle Purple through their Iron Ocean banner along with Uppendahl, Nick Antosca, Alex Hedlund, and Lindsey McManus.
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Candy is a co-production between UCP and 20th Television. Jim Atkinson and John Bloom have signed on as consulting producers. Interestingly, the Candy Montgomery story is also getting a limited series adaptation at HBO Max titled Love and Death, with Emmy nominee Elizabeth Olsen as its lead.
