First a bobblehead doll, now a show.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Brooklyn-born immunologist leading the charge against the coronavirus, has quickly become a household name. Now, HBO Max is developing a show about him.
Based on Malcolm Gladwell’s 2008 book “Outliers,” which looks at factors that contribute to success, the show will be an anthology series. Each season will focus on a different subject — Fauci, 79, will be Season 1. The show is billing itself as part historical drama, part biopic.
It will focus on people who, like Fauci, have had a large impact on society, what factors enabled their rise, and what the personal cost of their success is. Prior to his place on the coronavirus task force, Dr. Fauci spent over three decades advising six presidents on global health issues such as HIV/AIDS.
The first season will also draw from Michael Specter’s New Yorker article, “How Anthony Fauci Became America’s Doctor.”
While the subjects of potential future seasons of the anthology show have not been announced, the book “Outliers” also focuses on Bill Gates. It will join an eclectic band of original shows on HBO Max, which launched in May — including an upcoming “Gossip Girl” reboot and “Love Life,” a dating anthology series produced by Paul Feig.
Gladwell will executive produce the show, and Greg Walker (DC Universe’s “Titans”) will write and serve as showrunner.
While no actors are attached to it yet, Brad Pitt donned a wig and lowered his voice to play Dr. Fauci on “SNL” in April — maybe he can be persuaded to return.