Los Angeles, California — Actress Alison Brie has been announced as the lead for FX’s upcoming Untitled Witness Protection pilot, produced by Hannah Fidell and Gina Welch. This new project marks a shift in direction for the series, originally attached to David Chase, who has stepped away to focus on directing a film set to begin shooting early next year.
Fidell is slated to direct the pilot, while Welch, previously of FX’s Clipped, will join as co-showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Nicole Lambert of Riverain Pictures will also serve as an executive producer. The project is based on an unproduced script by Chase and is expected to take a modern approach to the story.
The narrative centers on a high-end madam in Washington, D.C., who, after a violent altercation, betrays her partner and enters witness protection in a coastal town in Maine alongside her teenage daughter. This premise sets the stage for a gripping exploration of survival and identity.
Brie is no stranger to acclaim, with a SAG Award win and two Golden Globe nominations to her name. Recently, she starred alongside Annette Bening in a series adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel, Apples Never Fall, available on Peacock. Additionally, Brie showcased her versatility by co-writing and starring in Somebody I Used to Know, alongside Dave Franco, Amy Sedaris, and Jay Ellis. She also featured in Spin Me Round, a film she co-wrote, which included notable performers like Molly Shannon and Aubrey Plaza.
In terms of upcoming projects, Brie has completed filming for a live-action Masters of the Universe adaptation, where she portrays the character Evil-Lyn. She is also set to star in and produce the feature Together, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and has since been acquired by Neon for a July 30 release. Brie is represented by WME, Rise Management, and Sloane Offer Weber & Dern.
Welch brings her own experience to the table, having served as the creator and executive producer of Clipped, which earned a nomination for the 2024 Peabody Award. She is currently represented by Untitled, CAA, and Johnson/Shapiro/Slewett/Koleby.
As the pilot progresses, fans and industry watchers alike will be eager to see how this dynamic story unfolds under the direction of an accomplished team. Whether it can capture the complexities of its characters and the intensity of its premise remains to be seen, but Brie’s involvement certainly adds a compelling element to the project.