Comedic multi-hyphenate Mary Beth Barone is expanding her burgeoning film and television footprint, writing and starring alongside Hamnet star Joe Alwyn in the new romantic comedy Still We Met. The feature marks the narrative feature directorial debut of acclaimed filmmaker Zackary Drucker, with an all-star production team backing the project ahead of a fall production start in New York.
Comedic multi-hyphenate Mary Beth Barone is continuing her impressive rise across both television and film landscapes. Fresh off setting up the A24 romantic comedy series Hard Feelings at Hulu, Barone has officially written and is slated to star opposite Joe Alwyn in Still We Met, an original romantic comedy that is loosely inspired by her own personal experiences. This high-profile project marks a major milestone for Barone, serving as her official feature screenwriting and acting debut.
Barone has built substantial momentum in the comedy world as a popular stand-up comic who also writes and stars opposite Benito Skinner in the Amazon and A24 comedy series Overcompensating. She recently wrapped production on the second season of Overcompensating and previously delighted audiences on Netflix with her hit hour-long special Galaxy Brain, which successfully debuted in the streaming platform's overall Top 10. Furthermore, industry insiders are closely watching her new television vehicle Hard Feelings, which was fast-tracked at Hulu after landing with the major streamer in a fiercely competitive situation.
Still We Met marks the narrative feature directorial debut of Zackary Drucker, a celebrated filmmaker widely recognized for her work on the Emmy-nominated short-form docuseries This Is Me. Drucker brings a rich and acclaimed background to her first narrative feature, with past credits including the Sundance-premiering HBO documentary Enigma, the Peabody Award-winning film The Stroll, The Lady and the Dale, and Hulu's Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl. Her transition into narrative feature filmmaking is expected to bring a distinct visual and emotional depth to the romantic genre.
The narrative of Still We Met centers on a young woman at a critical crossroads in her life who encounters a charming British stranger. The two characters spend one unforgettable night wandering through the vibrant streets of New York City, a journey that ultimately reveals far more about themselves than either had originally intended. Production on the feature is scheduled to kick off this fall on location in New York, capturing the iconic urban backdrop that forms the heart of the story's nocturnal adventure.
Financing and logistical momentum for the project are being driven by a formidable coalition of production companies and elite banner entities. Jack Heller and Caitlin de Lisser-Ellen are producing the feature for Assemble Media - known for their work on projects like The Man I Love and Skeletons - alongside Alex Bach and Daniel Powell of Irony Point, the acclaimed team behind I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. Additionally, Madison Wolk is serving as a co-producer for Assemble Media, working alongside Blake Mars, who is co-producing for Good Thing Going.
On the executive producing front, Lena Dunham and Michael Cohen are lending their creative weight under their Good Thing Going banner. Good Thing Going was notably behind Dunham's recent Netflix series Too Much, adding another high-profile television and film collaboration to their slate. The film's lead cast pairs Barone with Joe Alwyn, whose recent cinematic resume includes standout performances in Chloé Zhao's Academy Award-winning film Hamnet, Brady Corbet's Golden Globe winner The Brutalist, and a celebrated turn in Hamlet opposite Riz Ahmed. Alwyn's upcoming projects include Sam Esmail's Panic Carefully alongside Julia Roberts, Eddie Redmayne, and Elizabeth Olsen, as well as Apple TV+'s The Husbands.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the project, Mary Beth Barone shared her thoughts in a statement to Deadline, noting, "I am beyond excited to contribute to my favorite movie genre with the incredible producers at Assemble, Irony Point, and Good Thing Going. To have decorated documentary filmmaker Zackary Drucker directing is a true honor and Joe Alwyn in the role of Isaac just could not be more perfect. It's a very personal project. I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to share it with the world."
Industry representation for the key players involved underscores the project's high-tier status in Hollywood. Director Zackary Drucker is repped by CAA and Elsa Ramo. Writer, creator, and star Mary Beth Barone is repped by Entertainment 360, UTA, and Law Firm Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Meanwhile, co-star Joe Alwyn is represented by CAA, Management 360, Independent Talent Group, and Peikoff Mahan. With top-tier representation, an accomplished creative team, and a compelling script, Still We Met is positioned as one of the most anticipated independent rom-com productions heading into the fall shooting season.
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