Ben Stiller set to play title role in ‘Three Identical Strangers’ limited series from Amy Lipman and Sony TV
Returning to act with Ben Stiller three identical strangers, A high-profile limited series package, hitting the premium/streaming marketplace. Stiller is in final talks to direct and executive produce the series, a multi-decade family drama inspired by the incredible true story of identical triplet brothers separated at birth. Hells from the project party of five Co-produced by Amy Lipman, Sony Pictures Television and its Tristar Television division as well as SK Global Entertainment.
Set in New York for decades, Three identical strangers tells the story of Bobby Shafran, David Kelman and Eddie Galland, three complete strangers who inadvertently discover they are identical triplets separated at birth. While the 19-year-olds’ joyous reunion catapults them to international fame, it also sets into motion a chain of extraordinary and disturbing events.
Stiller is expected to play all three brothers as adults. He produces alongside writer-showrunner Lipman through his Red Hour Films banner alongside Sidney Kimmel, John Penotti, Charlie Corwin and SK Global’s Marcy Ross, Pierce Vellacott, Dimitri Doganis and RAW’s Tim Wardell Emmeline Young Hankins.
Co-executive producers are SK Global’s Mark O’Connor, Dan Brown and Submarine’s Josh Brown.
The three brothers were the subject of the documentary, three identical strangers, which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival where it was awarded the Special Jury Prize for Documentary Storytelling. Produced by RAW, directed by Tim Wardle and executive produced by CNN Films and the UK’s Channel 4, the film grossed $13.5 million worldwide.
SK Global Entertainment initially partnered with RAW to adapt the true story into a feature film with Anthony McCarten as writer. The project was eventually turned into a limited series and set up at Sony TV where Lipman has a long history, including co-creating and executive producing the original. Group of five series and its recent reboot, as well as executive producing Masters of Sex. He is repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham.
It marks a return to acting for Stiller who has focused on directing and producing for the past several years. This includes the acclaimed workplace thriller on Apple TV+ break up and Showtime’s Emmy-nominated limited series Escape to DannemoraFor which he won the DGA award. Three identical strangers It will also mark a rare TV series starring role for Stiller, whose acting focused on early 1990s features. The Ben Stiller Show.
Playing twins is a traditionally difficult acting challenge that has been tackled in several films and TV series, most recently by Mark Ruffalo in the HBO limited series. I know it’s very true, which won the actor an Emmy Award. With three siblings, Stiller is taking that challenge to a new level Three identical strangers. He is repped by UTA, ID and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman.
