Inspired by Jacob Tomsky’s ‘Heads in Bed,’ new drama series is centered on a high-end New York City hotel, its legend and lore, and its intertwined staff and guests.
Bizaar Studios has partnered with the husband-wife team Terence Winter (The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire) and Rachel Winter (Dallas Buyers Club) to develop Nouvelle, an eight-episode adult animated drama set in a high-end New York City hotel, marking the Winters' first animated project.
Inspired by Jacob Tomsky's bestselling book "Heads in Beds," the series centers on the enigmatic owner, loyal staff and unpredictable guests at one of New York City’s most sought-after high-end hotel destinations. In the pilot, a scandal erupts when a rising politician plummets to his death after an encounter with a neophyte sex worker, placing the hotel's future in jeopardy. The first season explores the secrets of the ensemble cast as well as the “legend and lore” of the hotel, where, as suggested, there are no accidents.
"A luxury hotel is the perfect setting for a modern Upstairs/Downstairs drama with a wonderful mishmash of characters," Rachel and Terence Winter said. "We are compelled by stories about the perversion of the American dream and exploring themes of fantasy and fairy tale living side by side with the reality of the have-nots. It's been thrilling to have Bizaar Studios' support in creating this Hotel world as a beacon of excess, boundary pushing, and heightened reality – a world that will be brought to life in a way that only the artistry of animation can do."
Jeremy Iovine, co-founder of Bizaar Studios, said, "In Nouvelle, Rachel and Terence Winter have crafted a rich, distinct world and story arc that will immediately draw viewers in. The series will take audiences on an intricately constructed journey, leveraging animation to elevate the storytelling. We are excited to bring their first animated project to life."
Terence Winter is known for creating, writing and executive producing Boardwalk Empire and previously serving as a writer and executive producer on The Sopranos, earning four Emmy and three Writers Guild Awards. He also received an Academy Award nomination for The Wolf of Wall Street and currently serves as executive producer and head writer on Tulsa King.
Rachel Winter is an Academy Award-nominated producer for Dallas Buyers Club. Along with LeBron James, she produced James’ biopic, Shooting Stars, released on Peacock. Winter produced and directed the iHeart Radio audio drama, “Supreme: The Battle for Roe” starring Maya Hawke and William H. Macy and directed The Space Between starring Kelsey Grammer, Jackson White and Paris Jackson.
The Winters are also developing a feature based on the life of Evel Knievel at Paramount, written by William Monahan with Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star, though additional details have not been announced.
Nouvelle is part of Bizaar Studios' broader slate of adult animated projects. The studio, backed by George R.R. Martin and Jimmy Iovine and led by Jeremy Iovine, Amir Mohamadzadeh and Eric Bromberg, is focused on premium storytelling for global audiences.
Source: Bizaar Studios
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
