MRC to Develop Limited Series ‘The Shrink Next Door’

MRC Television will produce and develop the limited television series, “The Shrink Next Door,” based on the podcast by Wondery and Bloomberg Media. Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd, who are reteaming on screen for the first time since “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” will star in the series as the patient and therapist, respectively; with Michael Showalter directing and Georgia Pritchett writing.

The logline: Based on the acclaimed Wondery and Bloomberg Media podcast and inspired by true events, “The Shrink Next Door” is a dark comedy following the bizarre relationship between psychiatrist to the stars Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf played by Paul Rudd, and his longtime patient Martin “Marty” Markowitz, played by Will Ferrell. Over the course of their relationship, the all-too-charming Ike slowly takes over Marty’s life, even moving into Marty’s home and taking over his family business. The series explores how a seemingly normal doctor-patient dynamic morphs into an unprecedentedly exploitative one filled with manipulation, power grabs, and dysfunction at its finest.

Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum and Brittney Segal will executive produce for Gloria Sanchez Productions. Rudd and Pritchett will also serve as executive producers. Showalter and Jordana Mollick will executive produce on behalf of Semi-Formal Productions. Hernan Lopez and Marshall Lewy for Wondery and Jared Sandberg, Katie Boyce, and Francesca Levy for Bloomberg Media will serve as executive producers, with Joe Nocera as co-executive producer. “The Shrink Next Door” is a Civic Center Media project in association with MRC Television.