Melissa McCarthy helps Paapa Essiedu learn the meaning of Christmas and family in the upcoming Peacock original movie, Genie. The film comes to the streaming service on Nov. 22.

Written by rom-com juggernaut Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill), Genie stars McCarthy as a genie who’s been stuck in a jewelry box for over 2000 years. It’s only when Bernard (Essiedu), a man down on his luck, accidentally releases her and gets a chance to get his family back. According to the official description:

Oscar® nominee Melissa McCarthy stars as Flora, a genie trapped for more than 2,000 years inside an antique jewelry box because of one teeny-tiny little misunderstanding with a sorcerer back in 77 B.C.

After millennia of being summoned to grant wishes of gold doubloons and hot babes for greedy men, Flora is accidentally called to service by Bernard Bottle (Emmy nominee Paapa Kwakye Essiedu; I May Destroy You), whose life is unraveling around him.

Bernard’s been so busy working that he has lost sight of his marriage to his wife Julie (Tony nominee Denée Benton; The Gilded Age) and the childhood of his young daughter, Eve (Jordyn Mcintosh; Emancipation). When Bernard misses Eve’s birthday 12 days before Christmas because of work, Julie decides it’s time for a trial separation. And then Bernard’s tyrannical boss (Tony winner Alan Cumming; The Good Wife) fires him.

Alone in his New York City apartment, a despondent Bernard dusts off a jewelry box he finds in their home and unintentionally releases the one entity who just might be able to help him get his family back. Maybe. Possibly. It’s a longshot, frankly. But in the process, Flora and Bernard will discover that love, and an unexpected friendship, can unleash a special holiday magic all its own.

The film also stars Marc Maron, Tate Ellington, LaChanze and Luis Guzmán and is directed by Sam Boyd.

Genie is produced by Working Title and Universal, including Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Riva Marker and Richard Curtis also produce. McCarthy executive produces with Caroline Jaczko, Nicole King, Stacy O’Neil, Alexandra Loewy and Sarah-Jane Robinson.

Genie

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