We’ve all heard the age-old proverb at least once in our lives that tells us that the only things certain in life are birth, death, and change.
Well, here’s another thing we can add to that list – society’s division of class.
No matter where you go or what country you live in, there’s a tiny percentage of those who live in wealth, the middle class, and those who are struggling to live paycheck to paycheck.
This theme runs through ABC’s newest series, Home Economics, albeit on a much smaller, much more comedic scale.
Back in February 2020, ABC gave the project a pilot order after it was originally meant for the previous development season at Fox, with a script commitment plus penalty. Early in December 2020, the pilot was granted a series order.
Home Economics joins the network’s other comedy orders (Call Your Mother and Rebel), though these latter two were ordered straight-to-series.
Let’s dive a little into what we know about ABC’s newest single-camera comedy, Home Economics!
Who’s in charge?
Home Economics hails from writing duo Michael Colton and John Aboud, who also worked together on Penguins of Madagascar, Sit Down Shut Up, and A Futile and Stupid Gesture.
They are also set to executive produce alongside Kim and Eric Tannenbaum, who are representing The Tannenbaum Company and will also have Jason Wang as co-executive producer.
Lionsgate TV will be joining ABC Signature when it comes to producing the project, with Maxfield Elins overseeing the series on behalf of the studio.
What’s Home Economics going to be about?
We mentioned the theme of class division but on a smaller scale. And what we mean by “smaller scale” is within a family.
Having siblings can be frustrating enough as it is, but it can get even more uncomfortable when all of you have landed as adults on different levels of society.
According to Deadline, the show is inspired by Colton’s family and will tell the “heartwarming yet super-uncomfortable and sometimes frustrating relationship among three adult siblings: one in the 1 percent, one middle-class, and one barely holding on.”
Who’s starring in this new ABC comedy
That 70s Show alum Topher Grace was the first to be announced to star, and he will also be executive producing! Grace will be playing Tom, the family’s middle child who sits comfortably in the middle class. As a novelist, he’s had a fairly successful career despite his last novel not doing so well.
His wife Marina, who’s a lawyer by trade but currently is a stay-at-home mom to their daughter and twin boys will be played by Karla Souza (How To Get Away With Murder).
Caitlin McGee (Bluff City Law) is set to play Sarah, the eldest sibling, and therapist for at-risk children. Her wife Denise, played by Sasheer Zamata (Saturday Night Live), is a public-school teacher. Though their financial life is a struggle, especially since they’re also raising two kids, Sarah’s younger brothers rely on her wisdom.
The youngest – and most financially successful – sibling, Connor, will be played by Jimmy Tatro (American Vandal). He’s described as someone who “never met a corner he didn’t try to cut”. Connor’s seven-year-old daughter Gretchen will be played by Shiloh Bearman.
Jordyn Curet, Chloe Jo Rountree, JeCobi Swain are also set to star. Curet will play Shamiah, Rountree will portray Camila and Swain will star as Kelvin.
Home Economics is slated to premiere on Wednesday, April 7th!