Hey there! Let's talk about something pretty exciting in the world of TV. Bonnie Hunt is back on the small screen in a big way, starring in Showtime's limited series, Escape at Dannemora. This marks her first recurring role in television in a whopping eight years. In the series, Bonnie plays Catherine Scott, the real-life Inspector General of New York, who gets assigned to investigate an intense escape from a maximum-security prison in upstate New York. Talk about a gripping storyline!
What's the Show About?
Here's the deal: Escape at Dannemora dives into a true story that sent shockwaves through the criminal justice system. The plot revolves around a daring escape by two convicted murderers from a maximum-security prison. What makes it even more fascinating is that these prisoners were aided in their escape by a married female prison employee, with whom they had formed illicit relationships. The network describes it as a story that "spawned a massive manhunt," turning this real-life drama into a thrilling limited series. The cast is top-notch, featuring Benicio del Toro, Patricia Arquette, and Paul Dano. Plus, Ben Stiller is not only executive producing but also directing some episodes. Now, that's a lineup you don't want to miss!
Bonnie's Take on the Role
Bonnie Hunt shared her excitement about joining the project with E! News, saying, “Ben called me at home and he’s, like, ‘I’m doing this thing. You want to come do it?’ And I was, like, ‘Yes! I know the whole story. I’ll be there.’” She recalls being fascinated by the case as it unfolded, feeling like it was destined to become a movie. Playing a character based on a real person can be challenging, but Bonnie embraced it. She explains, “It was interesting to play somebody that you didn’t really have a hook [into], except her intelligence, which is subtle to play. [Catherine Scott] is a doer of good. She’s revealing and pulling the curtain back on people who are fraudulent.” That’s a powerful role, and Bonnie brings her A-game to it.
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Looking Back at Bonnie's TV Journey
(Photo Credit: Showtime)
Let’s rewind a bit to Bonnie’s earlier days in television. Her first series, The Building, aired back in 1993 and was produced by her close friend, David Letterman. It was a live-action sitcom that embraced imperfections, leaving in mistakes and accidents to give it a raw, authentic feel. In the show, Bonnie portrayed Bonnie Kennedy, a commercial actress who moves back to Chicago after a broken engagement, living in an apartment building with a view of Wrigley Field. Only five episodes were produced, but it set the stage for more adventures. Two years later, she and Letterman teamed up again for The Bonnie Hunt Show (later retitled Bonnie), which maintained the same style of filming and kept much of the original cast. This one lasted for 11 episodes before cancellation.
Fast forward to 2002, and Bonnie returned with Life With Bonnie. In this series, she played Bonnie Malloy, a daytime TV talk show host juggling her demanding career with family life, including a husband and two kids. The show aired for two seasons, totaling 44 episodes. Then, in 2007, real life imitated art as Bonnie began hosting her own daily talk show, The Bonnie Hunt Show, which ran for two seasons and 425 episodes.
Bonnie's Diverse Career
In between these projects, Bonnie kept busy. She lent her voice to animated characters, appeared in numerous films, and even stepped behind the camera. In 2000, she directed, co-wrote, and starred in the film Return to Me, alongside David Duchovny. Her career is a testament to her versatility and passion for storytelling.
Escape at Dannemora airs Sunday nights on Showtime, so be sure to tune in and see Bonnie Hunt shine in this compelling new role.
