Meryl Streep is set to star in a television adaptation of Jonathan Franzen’s 2001 novel “The Corrections,” which is in development. The story follows the lives of the Lambert family over several decades, focusing on an elderly couple and their three adult children. The narrative culminates in a final Christmas gathering before the death of the family’s ailing patriarch, Alfred. The novel, which won the National Book Award and was featured in Oprah’s Book Club, is now being adapted for television, with Meryl Streep likely to portray the family matriarch, Enid. The project has moved to CBS Studios after originally being developed at Paramount Television Studios, and the adaptation will be overseen by Jonathan Franzen himself. The show is currently seeking a network or streaming platform for distribution.
Meryl Streep, a highly acclaimed actress, has achieved great success in the film industry, winning three Oscars and receiving 18 nominations. While she is widely recognized for her roles in movies, she has also made notable appearances in prestigious miniseries over the years. For instance, she starred in the 1978 miniseries “Holocaust” and the 2003 miniseries “Angels in America.” More recently, Streep has been taking on significant roles in episodic television projects. This includes her portrayal of Nicole Kidman’s mother-in-law, Mary Louise Wright, in season 2 of “Big Little Lies.” Additionally, she has joined the cast of “Only Murders in the Building,” where she plays Loretta Durkin, the love interest of Martin Short’s character and a murder suspect, in seasons 3 and 4 of the popular Hulu whodunit series.
It is highly probable that the future will continue to be filled with an abundance of Meryl Streep movies, considering the fact that the renowned actress has graced the silver screen in over sixty feature films over the course of her illustrious career. However, her involvement in The Corrections has the potential to mark a significant turning point in her career trajectory. Although the show will continue to feature an ensemble cast, Streep will take on a leading role rather than a supporting one, a departure from her recent television work. This shift may signify a newfound interest in pursuing more prominent roles in television, particularly if the right opportunities arise.
It’s interesting to note that as The Corrections was published at the turn of the millennium, the initial fervor around the novel has diminished somewhat in the more than two decades since it originally debuted. However, given the recent surge in popularity of miniseries adaptations of popular novels from various decades, including Ripley, Lessons in Chemistry, Presumed Innocent, Daisy Jones & the Six, and others, the mid-2020s might just be the perfect time for the Franzen novel to finally come to the small screen.
For instance, the Apple TV+ adaptation of Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga, was initially designed as a miniseries but has since been renewed for a second season.
It’s worth noting that Jonathan Franzen has also published additional novels since 2001, which have helped raise his stature in the world of publishing. This includes 2010’s Freedom, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection and won the John Gardner Fiction Award. His most recent novel, Crossroads, was published in 2021 and is the first in an intended trilogy titled A Key to All Mythologies.
The potential TV adaptation of the book “The Corrections” has generated significant interest, particularly due to the unsuccessful attempt by HBO to bring it to the small screen in 2012. With acclaimed actors like Chris Cooper, Dianne Wiest, and Ewan McGregor attached to the previous project, the anticipation for a successful adaptation is palpable.
The involvement of Meryl Streep in the potential new adaptation adds even more excitement, as her star power could attract the attention of various networks and streaming platforms seeking compelling television content. Given the literary stature of author Franzen, the project has the potential to appeal to a wide audience.
Meryl Streep’s recent success in television, particularly in shows like “Big Little Lies” and “Only Murders,” further emphasizes her ability to draw in audiences. With her potential involvement in “The Corrections,” the project has the opportunity to achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success, leveraging Streep’s established rapport with viewers.
