We have movement on theCandy MontgomeryTV series race, as HBO Max has just jumped out in front of Hulu by casting its male lead, withJesse PlemonsjoiningElizabeth Olsenin the true-crime showLove and Death.

The limited series hails from TV titanDavid E. Kelley(The Undoing) and follows two church-going couples who seem to enjoy small-town family life in Texas… until somebody picks up an axe. Plemons has been cast asAllan Gore, who had an affair with Mrs. Montgomery. The show is inspired by the bookEvidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbsand acollection of articlesfrom Texas Monthly.

Lesli Linka Glatter(Homeland) will direct and executive produceLove and Deathalongside Kelley as well asNicole KidmanandPer Saariof Blossom Films andScott BrownandMegan Creydtof Texas Monthly, plusMatthew Tinker,Michael KlickandHelen Verno.

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“This is a gripping story about the frustrations and desires of two women in a small town that culminates in a terrible act of violence," HBO Max’sSarah Aubreysaid in a recent statement. Indeed, Hulu thinks so too, and the streamer is working withThe ActduoNick AntoscaandRobin Veithondeveloping a rival project titledCandythat hasElisabeth Mossis slated to star.

Still, Plemons givesLove and Deatha big boost – possibly even a leg up – and if nothing else, his casting proves that this project has real momentum. Plus, not only is Plemons a fantastic actor, but he was born in Dallas, so he should lend some authenticity to this cast. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if he first heard about this story growing up. Plemons' TV credits includeFriday Night Lights,Breaking Bad,FargoandBlack Mirror, the latter of which earned him an Emmy nomination. His feature credits are also impressive, and it’s clear that Plemons is only just entering the priome of his career.

Plemons worked withSteven SpielbergonBridge of SpiesandThe Post,Martin ScorseseonThe Irishmanand Apple’s upcoming epicKillers of the Flower Moon,Paul Thomas AndersononThe MasterandCharlie Kaufman’s onI’m Thinking of Ending Things. That’s a hell of a resume, and that’s without mentioning Plemons' recent turn in the acclaimed Best Picture nomineeJudas and the Black Messiah. Up next for the actor is a villlainous turn in Disney’sJungle Cruise,Jane Campion’s new filmThe Power of the Dog, and theGuillermo del Toro-produced horror movieAntlers, which reunites Plemons with hisHostilesdirectorScott Cooper. The fact that HBO Max even landed him for this project – and the red-hot Olsen, fresh offWandaVision– gives me faith that this script may be something special. We’ll see…

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