The iconoclastic and charming Aubrey Plaza has established herself as a gifted star on the big and small screen, with a slew of projects in the works. Having first become a household name as the hilariously cynical April Ludgate on the beloved NBC mockumentary sitcom Parks and Recreation, the actress has continued to dazzle audiences with her unique brand of sardonic humor in both movies and television shows. Having showcased her impressive range in indie flicks like Ingrid Goes West, Black Bear and The Little Hours, and on edgy programs like Legion, it is not surprising that Plaza has quite the full schedule of upcoming gigs.
Plaza will be appearing in a wide variety of fascinating movies and shows, with the thrilling crime drama Emily the Criminal being her first impending project. The star’s performance in the picture has already been lauded by critics, with many claiming it’s one of her most outstanding roles thus far. She is also set to join the adored Danny DeVito in the FXX horror comedy series Little Demon, and has joined the highly-anticipated second season of the acclaimed HBO hit The White Lotus. Let’s take a closer look at the upcoming projects the actress has in the works.
Emily the Criminal
The highly buzzed about upcoming crime drama Emily the Criminal follows the eponymous debt ridden character as she finds herself embroiled in the dangerous Los Angeles criminal underworld after becoming involved in a lucrative credit card scam. Aubrey Plaza headlines the thrilling picture as Emily Benetto, a cash-strapped woman with overwhelming student loan debt who joins forces with a mysterious and handsome stranger in order to make some quick cash.
Directed by John Patton Ford, Emily the Criminal had its worldwide premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it garnered widespread praise for Plaza’s commanding performance and its thought-provoking social commentary. In their glowing review, The Observer wrote, “Plaza’s ongoing determination to bring out the authenticity of the story actually makes the film darker than it would be as a traditional thriller.”
Little Demon
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The hilarious Aubrey Plaza and the great Danny DeVito are teaming up on the small screen for the FXX animated horror comedy series Little Demon, in which the delightfully quirky duo provide their vocal talent as the Devil and a cautious mother. The sitcom centers on a woman who was impregnated by Satan 13 years prior, chronicling her struggles with raising her Antichrist daughter as the girl attempts to navigate her new demonic powers.
As they struggle to live a “normal” life in Delaware, the mom and child find their efforts thwarted by nefarious forces and the Devil himself, who wants nothing more than to acquire his daughter’s soul. Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon is set to executive produce the upcoming animated series, with Little Demon also featuring DeVito’s real-life daughter Lucy DeVito as his offspring in the horror sitcom.
Spin Me Round
Aubrey Plaza and the delightful Alison Brie joined comedic forces for the upcoming romantic comedy thriller Spin Me Round, which centers on Italian restaurant manager Amber’s once-in-a-lifetime trip to Florence, Italy, where she is given the opportunity to meet the chain’s dazzling and wealthy owner and his icy and enigmatic assistant Kat (Plaza). Co-starring Alessandro Nivola, Molly Shannon, and Lil Rel Howery, the provocative picture keeps audiences on their toes as to whether the vacation is a life-altering adventure or a deadly nightmare in the making.
Due for a release on August 19, 2022, Spin Me Round debuted at the South by Southwest festival to positive reviews, with Variety commenting: “Is this supposed to be some kind of sitcom? A thriller? A provocative #MeToo statement on sexual dynamics in the workplace? Yes, all of the above, it turns out.”
The White Lotus
Initially conceptualized as a limited show on HBO, the satirical comedy-drama The White Lotus premiered to critical acclaim and outstanding viewership numbers, leading the premium network to renew the thrilling program as an anthology series instead. Depicting a week in the life of both the guests and staff at the luxurious titular Hawaiian resort, the dramedy touts an exceptional ensemble cast led by Jennifer Coolidge, Connie Britton, and Murray Bartlett, and has amassed a whopping 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
The second season of the series will take place at a different White Lotus property in Sicily and will heavily feature a new set of faces including Aubrey Plaza, Michae Imperioli, Theo James, and Haley Lu Richardson. On being cast in the series, Plaza told Variety, “I’m very honored to be on this television series, and I hope I don’t let everybody down. It seems like everyone watched this show.”
Olga Dies Dreaming
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Based on the heavily lauded debut novel of the same name by Xochitl Gonzalez, the Hulu drama series Olga Dies Dreaming follows revered Nuyorican wedding planner Olga as she and her brother attempt to navigate their promising careers and the prestigious New York City elite in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Aubrey Plaza is set to portray the ambitious Olga in the adaptation, showcasing the heroine’s struggles with fitting in and achieving perfection in both her field and personal life; the actress will be joined by stars like Ramón Rodríguez, Alan Starzinski and Jesse Williams in the program and is set to make its premiere sometime later this year.
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
Guy Ritchie directed the spy action comedy Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, a star-studded picture with some of Hollywood’s finest performers including Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Hugh Grant and Cary Elwes that focuses on super spy Orson Fortune (Statham) as he and his fellow high-profile operatives enlist a popular moviestar to conduct a top-secret mission.
In the big screen extravaganza, Plaza appears as the reluctant Orson’s partner and primary ally, the CIA high-tech expert Sarah Fidel, who joins the spy on his thrilling globe-trotting mission. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre was supposed to be released on two previous dates earlier this year, but has since been postponed due to its inclusion of “Ukrainian baddies,” something which felt politically toxic at a time when Ukraine is under attack by Russian forces; a new premiere date has yet to be revealed.
The Ark and the Aardvark
Featuring the voices of entertaining performers like Aubrey Plaza, Miles Teller, Rob Riggle, and Craig Robinson, the animated adventure comedy The Ark and the Aardvark tells the tale of an outcast aardvark named Gilbert who inadvertently becomes the leader of a group of oddball animals that must be shepherded on Noah’s Ark before the impending flood hits.
Directed by John Stevenson, the endearing film enlists Plaza to portray an intelligent spider aptly named Brain, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Gilbert and the rest of the misfit creatures. Producer Keith Kjarval raved about his impressive ensemble cast, telling Variety, “Miles, Aubrey, Jenny, Chris, Rob, and Stephen, are such comedic geniuses. Under the creative direction of John Stevenson, the unique characters of our film will spring to life onscreen and make a perfect film for both kids and adults alike.”