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Steve Coogan to replace Philip Seymour Hoffman in 'Happyish' pilot

Coogan replaces Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was originally cast, but died last February of a heroin overdose at the age of 46.

By Karen Butler
British actor and writer Steve Coogan is to star in the half-hour comedy pilot "Happyish,' Showtime announced Wednesday. UPI/Jim Ruymen
1 of 2 | British actor and writer Steve Coogan is to star in the half-hour comedy pilot "Happyish,' Showtime announced Wednesday. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- British actor and writer Steve Coogan is to star in the half-hour comedy pilot Happyish, Showtime announced Wednesday.

Coogan replaces Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was originally cast, but died last February of a heroin overdose at the age of 46.

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The pilot for Happyish will be filmed with Coogan in the lead role in New York this December.

The cable network describes the program as "a comedic, soul-searching examination of our pursuit of happiness, a pursuit that might just be the very thing causing our unhappiness in the first place."

Coogan will play Thom Payne, a 44-year-old man "whose world is thrown into disarray when his 25-year-old 'wunderkind' boss arrives, saying things like 'digital,' 'social' and 'viral,'" a synopsis said. "Is he in need of a 'rebranding,' as his mentor insists, or does he just have a 'low joy ceiling,' as his corporate headhunter suggests? Maybe pursuing happiness is a fool's errand? Maybe, after 44 years on this ludicrous planet, settling for happyish is the best one can expect."

"Steve's range is astounding -- he is a comedy legend, a gifted satirist, and he possesses the unique combination of talents this role demands," the show's creator Shalom Auslander said in a statement.

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