A new romantic comedy-drama created and written by acclaimed playwright Kate Cortesi is coming to Disney+.
Mad Love (working title) is produced by Element Pictures (Normal People), a Fremantle company, and Sinestra. The six-part series, from the mind of Cortesi, follows Maddy Caruso, a British wedding planner for an eclectic list of clients in the Italian countryside. Everyone wants Maddy for their events.
But her personal life isn’t so successful — back home in London, Maddy did something unforgivable with the first man she’s ever had feelings for. She bolted to Italy in shame, leaving behind her entire life, including her sister and best friend, Evie. But Maddy can’t run away forever, and her past comes crashing into her new Italian life in the most chaotic way imaginable.
“What a dream to bring Mad Love to life with this team that is truly the best in the business,” said Cortesi. “I can’t believe my good fortune to be working with Element, Sinestra, Fremantle, and Disney+, who have understood and supported the vision from the very beginning. And I can’t wait to introduce the world to Maddy Caruso, our wedding planner extraordinaire who is equal parts witty, wise, and wretched.”
She added: “Watching Maddy hurtle toward self-actualization through a string of self-destructive choices is a ride I hope will be funny, sad, and occasionally worrisome — but ultimately a celebration of how true community catches us when we fall and helps us grow up. This one is for the free spirits, the poor decision-makers, and the unapologetic lovers of life.”
Lee Mason, vice president of scripted, Disney+ EMEA, described Cortesi’s writing as “incisive, authentic and uproariously funny.” He continued: “We’re thrilled to bring her refreshingly honest take on the romantic comedy-drama to Disney+. Together with the brilliant teams at Element and Sinestra, Mad Love is exactly the kind of bold, distinctive storytelling we want to champion as we continue to grow our U.K. Originals slate.”
The show was commissioned by Angela Jain, head of content, Disney+ EMEA, alongside Mason. It will be executive produced by Kate Cortesi, Christopher Aird, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures, as well as Michael Parets and Johan Renck for Sinestra, and Hilary Martin for Fremantle.
It is the latest U.K. Original commission for Disney+, joining new comedy drama Dad from A24 and the critically acclaimed Rivals.
