Toni Collette will lead Lenni, an Apple TV dramedy adapted from the Norwegian series Pernille. Variety reported that production is underway in Sydney, Australia. Collette is also an executive producer.
A family advocate faces chaos at home
The fictional Lenni is a child-welfare worker and divorced mother of two. She spends her working days fighting for other families while her own household remains in a state of comic disorder.
The season follows a new case that brings her professional and personal lives into collision. The premise combines family comedy with high-stakes pressures in her work.
Ciaran Hinds, Dan Wyllie, Josh McKenzie, Celeste Barber, Genevieve Hegney, Arka Das and Wayne Blair join Collette in the cast.
Australian adaptation retains links to the original
Sarah Scheller, whose credits include The Letdown and Strife, is adapting and executive producing. Dearbhla Walsh directs and also serves as an executive producer.
Made Up Stories and Keshet International produce. Pernille creator Henriette Steenstrup joins the executive-producing team, maintaining a link to the original series, made by Monster for Viaplay.
The project receives support from the New South Wales government through Screen NSW's Made in NSW Fund.
Collette's television work includes her Emmy-winning performance in United States of Tara, alongside The Staircase, Pieces of Her, Unbelievable and Wayward. Her film career includes an Oscar nomination for The Sixth Sense and roles in Hereditary and Little Miss Sunshine.
The team is continuing production in Sydney on the adaptation's mix of work and family pressures.