From the pen of “Love Actually” writer-director Richard Curtis comes a new holiday comedy — but this time the magic of the season is literally magic. Premiering on Peacock on Nov. 22, “Genie” follows Melissa McCarthy as Flora, the titular character, who comes to the assistance of a despondent Bernard (Paapa Essiedu).
From missing his daughter’s birthday to his wife leaving him to getting fired, Bernard is in need of a genie for several reasons. Luckily for him, he stumbles upon a jewelry box and unintentionally releases the genie Flora, who can grant unlimited wishes. Flora has been trapped in that box for over 2,000 years due to a misunderstanding with a sorcerer in 77 B.C., so Bernard begins to show her the world she has been missing. Meanwhile, declaring that he needs to get his family to love him again, Bernard and Flora embark on a journey to achieve that very goal in time for Christmas.
Curtis’ screenplay, based on his 1991 teleplay “Bernard and the Genie,” is directed by Sam Boyd, creator of “Love Life.” Also starring in “Genie” is Alan Cumming, Denée Benton, Luis Guzmán, Marc Maron, Jordyn McIntosh, Tate Ellington and LaChanze. The movie is from Universal and Working Title, produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Riva Marker and Richard Curtis. McCarthy, Caroline Jaczko, Alexandra Loewy, Sarah-Jane Robinson, Nicole King and Stacy O’Neil executive produced the film.
