Lena Waithe and her Hillman Grad Productions is set to tackle famed actress Mary Tyler Moore.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Waithe will produce a documentary exploring the storied legacy of the famed actress Mary Tyler Moore who passed in 2017

James Adolphus is the director. Per the report, Being Mary: The Mary Tyler Moore Documentary “will follow the personal and professional journey of the star, businesswoman and advocate best known for her portrayal of a single, successful and professional woman of television in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

With the support of the Mary Tyler Moore estate along with Moore’s husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine serving as an executive producer, the documentary will showcase Moore in a light never seen before.

Moore was introduced to network television through the Dick Van Dyke Show as Laura Petrie, a stay at home suburban mother. From 1961-1966, she etched her way into the hearts and minds of fans before starting in her own titular show. Moore’s character, Mary Richards continued the legacy from 1970-1977.

Waithe called Moore “an icon, mystery and an inspiration.”

She continued, “With the help of her loving husband, Robert, and her friends and colleagues we hope to reveal that America’s sweetheart was more human than they ever imagined and was often put on a pedestal she never felt comfortable standing on.”

Levine added, “In her high school yearbook, Mary wrote: ‘The world is always ready to receive talent with open arms’… and Mary always sought to surround herself with the best. To have extraordinary and purposeful talents like Lena and James tell Mary’s story honors her in a way I know she would have treasured.”

Being Mary aiming for a 2022 release. Debra Martin Chase of Martin Chase Productions will produce alongside Andrew Coles of The Mission, Rishi Rajani of Hillman Grad Productions and Ben Selkow and Adolphus of Good Trouble Studios.

Mary Tyler Moore

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