Bath Shannon Cochran (in Sexual Harassment) Linda Purl Helene Beesly is Pam 's mom, played by Shannon Cochran in "Sexual Harassment" and subsequently played by Linda Purl in episodes starting with " Niagara ." Contents 1 Season 2 2 Season 4 3 Season 5 4 Season 6 5 Season 7 6 Season 9 7 Behind the scenes 8 Appearances 9 References Season 2 They, and the show's cast, have shared their thoughts on the case. L-R: Olivia Luccardi as Lily Day, Gideon Adlon as Mariah Day in "The Thing About Pam." [I am] going to be researching and trying to understand just based on the limited information that's available. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. & 2023 CBS Studios Inc. and CBS Interactive Inc., Paramount companies. ET: This article was updated to include Newsweek's interview with showrunner Jenny Klein. ET It always seemed like Pamela Hupp was your friendly, easygoing neighborhood pal. He mistakes her for an old lady at the park however finally finds her. The District Attorney who failed to fully investigate Pam Hupp wound up prosecuting Russ Faria twice for the murder of his wife. And why would she lie? Sean Bridgers is best known for his role as Johnny Burns in Deadwood, Louis Darnell in Get Shorty, and Trey Willis in the underrated masterpiece, Rectify. This is the first television role for Jeff Ryan Baker. In The Thing About Pam which is based on the Dateline podcast of the same name Katy Mixon plays warm, non-confrontational, easily manipulated Betsy Faria. The largest collection of bigwig personalities gathers in the two-part finale of Season 7 as Dunder Mifflin looks for someone to replace the irreplaceable Michael Scott. When the ladies of Dunder Mifflin got to the Season 2 episode "Sexual Harassment" the first episode with Pam's Mom physically present they broke down the recasting question. In February 2021, the series was given a six-episode order with Zellweger joining the cast and the production as an executive producer. Club's Gwen Ihnat said "The Thing About Pam does an impressive job of translating an addictive tale to the small screen. Duhamel also spoke to the news station, saying that he found it helpful to get to know Schwartz in the process of preparing for the show because it made it "easy" for him to portray him. ("Double Date") Pam then slaps Michael after Michael says that, "she came on to me [him]. * Because it is. 25 2022, Published 8:55 a.m. [9], On May 19, 2020, it was reported that NBC News Studios and Blumhouse Television were developing an untitled scripted television series based on coverage from Dateline about the involvement of Pam Hupp in the murder of Betsy Faria as well as the sentencing and release of her husband, Russ Faria. The brutal crime kicked off a series of events that exposed a diabolical scheme in which their neighbor, Pam Hupp, was deeply involved. Both Russ Faria and his attorney Joel Schwartz helped advise the writers and showrunner Jenny Klein in the creation of the NBC show. Pam Hupp (inset) was eventually fingered as the killer and she'd been busy. It clearly shocks Pam however she lies and says the movie is really good. [40] From Vulture, Roxana Hadadi said "Zellweger is simultaneously broadly cartoonish and blandly nonspecific. Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison who narrated the original NBC News podcast, The Thing About Pam (opens in new tab) which remains one of the most-downloaded shows on Apple Podcasts is returning to narrate the TV adaptation. I texted Joel, and he replied: 'Bourbon!' "[45] In a more positive review, The A.V. : Cookies help us deliver our Services. The website's consensus reads, "Rene Zellweger is visibly having fun, but The Thing About Pam's glossy take on a true crime is neither as entertaining or insightful as it aims to be. The show premieres on March 8 and also stars Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer, and Katy Mixon. In 2021, the real Pam was charged with first-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of Betsy Faria in 2011 she has pleaded not guilty and is still awaiting trial. Actor Bio. Pam has a strained relationship with her mother. [21] Throughout October, Zellweger was photographed wearing face and body prosthetics to portray Hupp. Betsys mom, Janet, doesn't know what to believe. When the show wanted to bring Pam's mom back to the show, the original actor. Klein told Newsweek: "I remember Josh Duhamel's first day as Joel, we were filming the scene in [episode] 2 at Joel's house when Joel and Nate theorize about the 'murder slippers' (a term that the real Joel and Nate jokingly used), and Josh asked what kind of liquor Joel drinks. If a character isn't needed for years on end, an actor has to look elsewhere to keep their career moving forward and, at times, even simply put food on the table. For instance, Amazon's "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" show saw unexpected turnover in the form of Will Poulter leaving before production even got off the ground. Martin is a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produces a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows. Over the next few years, they would keep coming back to Hupp as her name would continually be linked to several murders. Spoke currently serves on the faculty at the California Institute of the Arts, where she teaches acting in the Film Directing Program and in Character Animation. Rene Zellweger Becomes Convicted Killer Pam Hupp in 'The Thing About Pam' By H. Alan Scott On 03/08/22 at 4:40 PM EST Culture True Crime If you're a director looking to cast a female actor. The slurping effect, which the duo came up with before filming began, was also used in the sound design. Lakeview Park is located in Fenton, Mo., and is less than an hour from where Pam lived in O'Fallon. You know what, I'm gonna start dating her [Helene] even harder. Lincoln County prosecutor Leah Askey deems this, Producer Cathy Singer decides to devote several episodes of. [37], Zellweger's performance divided critics. For more information on cookies including how to manage your consent visit our. "[41] Variety's Daniel D'Addario criticized the "uncanny" prosthetics and the appearance of a Dateline producer as a character, writing, "It'd be a shame if Zellweger's first acting gig after her Oscar-boosted return to Hollywood were, ultimately, little more than NBC cross-promotion. Oscar-winning actress Rene Zellweger is making her return to broadcast TV as Pam Hupp. She can also be seen in "Whiplash," "Wild Prairie Rose," "Gastropod" and many others.On stage, Spoke has twice won the Ovation Award, the Garland Award/LA Weekly Award for Best Performance in numerous productions and has also been awarded the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award/Garland Award for Best Production/Producer. "Oh, wow!" she . Russ Faria's conviction was overturned by a judge in 2015 and he was released from prison. Zellweger's received criticism for donning a fat suit to play Pam Hupp (via The Wrap), the Midwestern mom and alleged serial killer.And some critics have found the comedic elements of the story off-putting. It also had a positive impact on Dateline, especially on the viewership of the episodes about Hupp that inspired the series. One of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time is Pam's mom, Helene Beesly. She most recently filmed HBOs limited series White House Plumbers, opposite Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux, and will be co-starring in Reboot from Modern Family co-creator Steve Levitan. Michael gets upset and leaves calling her a "jerk". Katy Mixon will play Betsy Faria, whose murder kicked off the chain of events documented in the show. And some critics have found the comedic elements of the story off-putting. She was finally arrested in 2016 for the murder of Louis Gumpenberger, In 2019, Dateline released a multi-episode podcast all about Hupps story. She is not upbeat and is not as fun as she was during season two. Dateline journalist Keith Morrison provides the show's narration. [18] On September 24, Gideon Adlon, Sean Bridgers, Glenn Fleshler, Suanne Spoke, and Mac Brandt were added to the cast. Fischer points out that there was a particularly good reason to do this, too: they had developed the storyline that the long-dormant character would not only return but that she would date Michael Scott and it was just too darn good of an opportunity to pass up. As well as starring as Pam Hupp, Rene is also on hand as an executive producer. One of the things about Pam is that its no easy task to prove shes a liar. Famous actors like Timothy Olyphant, Kathy Bates, Idris Elba, and plenty of others were eventually invited to make an appearance. RELATED: 'The Thing About Pam' Trailer Reveals Rene Zellweger's Compulsive Lying. However, his troubles had only just begun when he was arrested and convicted for her death. Mixon is best known for her title role on ABCs American Housewife, which recently aired its fifth and final season. [22][23] Filming took place in New Orleans and Hammond, Louisiana. The character appears twice in Season 2, once "in the flesh" in the episode "Sexual Harassment" and again over the phone after Jim kisses Pam during the casino night. Based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ, but he insisted he did not kill her. Additional executive producers included Carmella Casinelli, Borsiczky, Noah Oppenheim, and Chris McCumber. Rene Zellweger leads the cast of The Thing About Pam. She kept Jim from following his dreams. ("Sexual Harassment") Later, she and Pam talk to each other after Jim tells Pam that he loves her. I literally existed for another human" 7. Mixon also has a growing voiceover career, working on such projects as Robot Chicken and Minions.. Series Produced by Series Music by Series Cinematography by John Brawley . She was a touring theater actress and she wasn't available, so we had to recast her for those later episodes.". Suanne Spoke as Janet, Betsy's mother and Mariah's grandmother. The actor portrays Mariah in the NBC true crime drama which charts the 2011 murder of Day's mother Betsy Faria and its aftermath, including how Betsy's husband Russ (Glenn Fleshler) was wrongfully accused and Pam Hupp's (Rene Zellweger) involvement. During her lengthy stage career, she served on the board of directors for both Company of Angels and Deaf West Theatre.Spoke currently serves on the faculty at the California Institute of the Arts, where she teaches acting in the Film Directing Program and in Character Animation. A one-stop-shop for all things video games. Greer made her feature film directorial debut in 2018 with A Happening of Monumental Proportions. The film premiered at the Bentonville Film Festival where it won the Audience Spotlight Award. The Thing About Pam premieres Tuesday, March 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Shirley Neumann was 77 years old and living alone in a third-floor apartment of a senior . She dates Michael Scott for a brief stint and is present during the delivery of Cece at the hospital. Rene Zellweger as Pam Hupp in "The Thing About Pam", and the real-life Pam Hupp who is currently serving a life sentence in prison. Jenny Klein serves as showrunner for the series. "Episode 5, I feel like is definitely the most, in a way for me, I feel like it's almost the most heart-breaking and empowering episode for Mariah.". Oscar-winning actress Rene Zellweger is making her return to broadcast TV as Pam Hupp. There are so many things about Pam. Elsewhere, she's made supporting appearances in films like 13 Going On 30, Jurassic World and Ant-Man, among many others. I'm going to play the person that you sort of illuminated in your podcast and try to understand what makes a person like that tick". Meanwhile, Zellweger is no stranger to transforming her body onscreen, as previously seen in Bridget Joness Diary and Judy, for which she won her second Oscar portraying Judy Garland at the end of her career. She has series regular roles in the Netflix animated shows Pacific Rim and Battle Kitty. She also guest-starred on the premiere of Hulus Solar Opposites.. And, of course, it's a giant excuse to closely follow the lives of a bunch of made-up characters. Schwartz, who is portrayed by Josh Duhamel in the show, explained to KSDK that he and his client were very involved in the project. Duhamel also recently wrapped the bank heist thriller Bandit, alongside Mel Gibson, and the action-crime film Blackout.. During her lengthy stage career, she served on the board of directors for both Company of Angels and Deaf West Theatre. All of those things were really important because all those bits and pieces are what construct the person that we project our own conclusions and presumptions onto.. Katy is known for her work on CBS' Mike & Molly, ABC's American Housewife and is due to appear alongside Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon in George & Tammy later in 2022. It's a workplace comedy. In 2003, Pam and Mark move from Florida to Missouri due to Pam's possible involvement in, Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Movie, Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Movie, Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Movie, Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie. [12] In May 2021, Jenny Klein signed a one-year first-look deal with Blumhouse Television and joined The Thing About Pam as a writer and executive producer. [17] On August 30, Judy Greer and Katy Mixon joined the cast. The . Josh Duhamel most recently played The Utopian in Jupiter's Legacy, and he's also known for his performances in Las Vegas, Unsolved, and for playing Captain Lennox in the live-action Transformers movies. "She just told me about what it was like in that time of her life and how she was extremely manipulated by everyone around her because all the people that she loved and trusted believed one thing and she believed another. Save 20% On Olaplex Haircare Bestsellers to Repair Damaged Strands, Save $105 on This Highly-Rated Dyson Vacuum Alternative from Amazon, Hailey Bieber's Favorite Denim Shorts Are On Sale Now at Amazon, Khloe Kardashian's Good American Drops New Neon Swimwear Collection. [1], On January 10, 2020, NBC announced its plans to shut down the unscripted production unit Peacock Productions. Moments after walking through the door of his Troy, Mo., home on Dec. 27, 2011, Russ Faria discovered his wife, Betsy . Zellweger has won two Oscars, one for Best Actress for her portrayal of Judy Garland in 2019s Judy and one for Supporting Actress in the film, Cold Mountain in 2003. He added that when he did speak to Faria, "he took me so much deeper into his story and his pain and the humanity of it all.". Dunderpedia: The Office Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Jim panics and drives off to go help and accidentally leaves Michael behind at the gas station they were at. One of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time is Pam's mom, Helene Beesly. It's a factor that is constantly upsetting schedules and casting calls. ", Referencing the moment where Mariah speaks to Pam after losing the court case against her over Betsy's life insurance money, Adlon added: "I don't know if this has happened in real life, but you know, just to kind of look at Pam and be like, 'I'm okay, I'm moving on.'. He has also appeared in such films as Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, When in Rome, and Love, Simon. The Thing About Pam details the murder of Betsy Faria, a cancer-stricken woman found dead in her home in Troy, Missouri, in December 2011. Suanne Spoke has been on television since the mid-1980s. While Pam's mom was a less disruptive recast than those examples, it did break some pretty important rules that "The Office" had in place. "I was lucky enough to speak to Mariah on the phone once, before we started filming, and it was obviously very enlightening and heart-breaking, but she really gave me more perspective into what it was like, at that time in her life," she explained. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. She, Pam, and Roy go to dinner. Every suburban midwestern mom needs a Pam in her life. More and more people are seeking out that content". Louis was an unsuspecting participant in a twisted fantasy that ended in murder. "[Back] then she was so young, when it all happened she was only 17 and she was open, but obviously still reserved. "So she was manipulated and definitely felt like her voice was stunted and she wasn't really no one was listening to her. [25] After adding the prosthetics, the makeup took between two and four hours to apply. Recovering from cancer, trying to get her life back together and her only mistake was to trust the wrong person. In order to protect the purity of the final product, the production crew resisted using this splashy option for short-term attention at the risk of undermining the long-term cohesion of the entire project. Minnie seems to keep popping up as Pam works her schemes almost as a voice whispering to Pams conscience. In a statement, Borsiczky said the murder case she was adapting could be interpreted as both a whodunit and a character study. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, Rene Zellweger Becomes Convicted Killer Pam Hupp in 'The Thing About Pam'. Glenn Fleshler plays Betsy's husband, Russ. (1 episode, 2022) : 1) Ben Vereen 2) Michael Fishman 3) The Lincoln Tunnel 4) The Lincoln Tunnel. [29] The theme implemented the use of an English horn, a prepared piano with coins between the strings, a harmonica, "ka-ching" sounds, a custom-made Italian instrument combining a waterphone and daxophone, and the sound of someone slurping. Meanwhile, television producers sought to devote several episodes from Dateline NBC to Betsy's story, which uncovers Pam's past and makes her a suspect in the case. Pam mentions that Betsy had planned to reveal "something" Russ did to her. You can just tell that the toxic narcissistic energy that she has is just starting to eat her alive and you know, bite her in the a**," the actor said. Glenn Fleshler has had leading roles in Boardwalk Empire, Billions, The Night Of, Barry, and For Life. On television, Duhamel is known for his role on the NBC drama Las Vegas. Additionally, he lent his voice to Nickelodeons Emmy Award-winning animated series Fanboy & Chum Chum and starred in several seasons of the long-running ABC soap opera All My Children, for which he received three consecutive Daytime Emmy nominations. Judy Greer has graced us with her presence on screen since the late 90s. The studio's "Wheel of Time" adaptation had an even more catastrophic issue when Mat Cauthon actor Barney Harris exited the show well after filming started (per Newsweek). The case shocked the nation, becoming the subject of several Dateline episodes, and is stirring up attention once again through NBC's true-crime series, which airs on Tuesdays. Kimberly Potts of TheWrap said it appeared Zellweger was "thoroughly enjoying her time" as Hupp. [28] Zellweger described her physical transformation as "pretty much head to toe". Katy Mixon is best known as April on Eastbound & Down. She's notorious, not famous. So, Josh drank bourbon in that scene.". Zellweger serves as an executive producer on both The Back Nine and The Thing About Pam through her production company, Big Picture Co. Zellweger is known globally for her starring role as the seminal British everywoman in the film Bridget Joness Diary, for which she received an Oscar nomination, and the sequels Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Bridget Joness Baby. She also earned an Academy Award nomination as convicted killer Roxie Hart in Chicago and won her first Oscar in the category of Best Supporting Actress for Anthony Minghellas Cold Mountain., After graduating with an English degree from the University of Texas, Zellweger made her feature film debut in Richard Linklaters seminal coming-of-age film Dazed and Confused. Other film roles quickly followed, including Reality Bites, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation and My Boyfriends Back. Soon after, Zellweger won the affection of audiences with her breakthrough role in Jerry Maguire., Additional credits include One True Thing, Nurse Betty, Me, Myself & Irene, White Oleander and Cinderella Man. She has also lent her voice to such animated features as Shark Tale, Bee Movie and Monsters vs. Aliens and made her television debut in the Netflix limited series What/If., Suanne Spoke stars as Janet, Betsy Farias mother and grandmother to Betsy and Russ two daughters, including Mariah Day, in the new NBC limited series The Thing About Pam.. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expo Based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ, but he insisted he did not kill her. In the first official trailer and images, audiences get a peek at the Oscar-winning actress' dramatic . The police suspected Betsy's husband, Russ, as the culprit and arrested him, but when his conviction was overturned, holes appeared in Pam's testimony, revealing a diabolical scheme. Before that she had roles in Louie, Girl Meets World, The Society, and alongside her mom, Pamela Adlon in the show Better Things. The case is very interesting, so I was intrigued. It stars Rene Zellweger, Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer, Gideon Adlon, Sean Bridgers, Suanne Spoke, Mac Brandt, Katy Mixon, and Glenn Fleshler. The Thing About Pam is an American true crime comedy-drama television miniseries detailing the involvement of Pam Hupp in the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. "[39] IndieWire's Ben Travers, on the other hand, called her performance "exaggerated". In a statement, Cole said "the documentary business is certainly more robust than it ever has been. She's lightly involved in the later seasons of the show, as well, and even makes the final cut for Michael's off-beat flick "Threat Level Midnight.". ("Sex Ed"), Helene, who watches Jim and Pam's daughter Cece when they are at work, takes Cece to a doctor when she gets a fever. She has taught at Deaf Wests Summer School and does specialized audition technique seminars as well as serving as an acting consultant for the UCLA Extension for screenwriters and UCLA/US Performing Camps. He, too, seemed to believe her web of lies as he tried helplessly to keep his family together. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp.Based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ, but he insisted he did not kill her. There she has a brief, awkward encounter with Michael. Josh Duhamel plays Joel Schwartz on the NBC limited series The Thing About Pam., Duhamel most recently starred on the Netflix original series Jupiters Legacy, based on the comic series of the same name. It was also reported that NBCUniversal Chairman of Entertainment Content Susan Rosner Rovner would oversee the series and that Jessika Borsiczky would write and serve as showrunner. Watch The Thing About Pam: Becoming Pam Hupp, Watch The Thing About Pam: She's A Killer, Watch The Thing About Pam: She's A Star Witness, Watch The Thing About Pam: She's A Good Friend, Watch The Thing About Pam: Renee Zellweger Is Pam. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, "The writers and the showrunner spent upwards of 60 hours just. In addition to the series announcement, it was revealed Cole would executive produce alongside Jason Blum, Marci Wiseman, and Jeremy Gold. In the upcoming series co-starring Josh Duhamel as defense attorney Joel Schwartz, Judy Greer as prosecutor Leah Askey and Katy Mixon as Betsy Faria, Zellweger plays Pam, whose deeply diabolical and deadly scheme was exposed by a chain of events following the overturning of Russ Farias conviction in the 2011 murder of his wife. Previously, she directed an AOL original short that documents the practice of Transcendental Meditation and how it has changed the lives of teachers and students who learned the practice from the David Lynch Foundation. Needless to say, he filed for divorce from dear Pam in 2020. It was prosthetics, it was a [padded] suit, it was the choice of clothing, it was the briskness in her step-step-step, her gait, she shared. Thankfully, Schwartz never gave up as he was virtually Russs only hope. Dane Davenport as Mike Wood, a candidate for Lincoln County prosecutor and Joel's friend. This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 11:39. Rene Zellweger to Star in True-Crime Series 'The Thing About Pam', Ant Anstead on Girlfriend Renee Zellweger's 'Kindness' & Holiday Plans, Rene Zellweger Spends Thanksgiving With Ant Anstead and His Son, By signing up, you agree to our "[42], The show's comedic tone was criticized. Corus Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. [16][17] On August 27, it was reported that pre-production would be suspended for some time due to Hurricane Ida with a filming start date set for early September. This, she and Kinsey explain, is the idea of shows casting really famous actors to play a short role or even make a quick cameo in an episode. BA1 1UA. Since then, she has starred in Me, Myself, & Irene, Bridget Joness Diary (and all its sequels), Chicago, Cinderella Man, and Miss Potter. The entire experience was a revelation to many diehard fans, and it offered up an endless stream of juicy behind-the-scenes details. As the defense attorney for Russ Faria, Joel Schwartz had his work cut out for him. Zellweger told Newsweek: "I love an opportunity to be cheeky with something. Thank you for signing up to Whattowatch. She always has lip balm, CBD oil, and Ilia's Skin Serum Concealer with Vitamin C. "I love Ilia. "[27], The score was composed by Giona Ostinelli and Sonya Belousova. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expo Read allBased on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ, but he insisted he did not kill her. I think without it, it's much more difficult to kind of tiptoe in the underlying themes.". ("Lice"), Michael Scott | Dwight Schrute | Jim Halpert | Pam Beesly | Ryan Howard | Andy Bernard | Kevin Malone | Stanley Hudson | Angela Martin | Phyllis Vance | Meredith Palmer | Creed Bratton | Oscar Martinez | Kelly Kapoor | Toby Flenderson | Darryl Philbin | Erin Hannon | Gabe Lewis, Jan Levinson | Roy Anderson | David Wallace | Nellie Bertram | Karen Filippelli | Robert California | Holly Flax | Pete Miller | Clark Green | Bob Vance | Todd Packer | Mose Schrute | Hank Tate | Nate Nickerson | Val Johnson | Robert Lipton | Cathy Simms | Helene Beesly | Glenn | Hidetoshi Hasagawa | Madge Madsen | Esther Bruegger | Nick | Jo Bennett | Deangelo Vickers | Charles Miner. When hes not watching TV or at the movies, Martins probably still in front of a screen playing the latest video games, reading, or watching the NFL.
