Batgirl’s Leslie Grace is making her way to the podcast universe. The star of the now-canceled film will star in and produce How to Win Friends and Disappear People, a comedy-thriller podcast, Deadline reports. Grace is set to voice El, a centuries-old vampire living in New York City. Soni Nicole Bringas also stars as Nancy, El’s neighbor and later friend who discovers her blood-sucking nature.
In a statement, Grace said:
Podcast network QCode is behind the upcoming series, which will premiere in 2023. Other cast members include Katrina Bowden (30 Rock), Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family), James Paxton (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), and Carlos Jamie Alazraqui (Reno 911!). It was created, written, and directed by Sophia Lopez. QCode founder Rob Herting, Michele Zarate, Sandra Yee Ling, and Alexa Gabrielle Ramirez join Lopez as executive producers. Herting believes the series will appeal to “true crime fanatics and fans of comedic thrillers,” while Lopez is eager to tell a story about friendship:
“The characters of El and Nancy really allow us to explore elements of toxic female friendship and hyperbolized co-dependence via this unlikely relationship between vampire and familiar. I’m so grateful to have been welcomed by QCode and Sophia in such a way that allowed me to contribute to this brilliant project both as actress and producer.”
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
How to Win Friends and Disappear People is a comedic take on Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. The self-help book was released in 1936 and has become one of the best-selling books of all time.
“QCode has been a true partner and has empowered me as a Latina creator to set the narrative around two powerful, though vastly different Latinas. While this podcast is pulsating with mayhem, murder and deceit, at its core, our story is about female friendship and the incredible impact one true friend can have,” she said.
Leslie Grace and the DCU
Warner Bros.
Grace is best known for her portrayal of Nina Rosario in Jon M. Chu’s In the Heights and as a Latin Grammy Award-nominated singer. Grace was also set to star in the now-canceled Batgirl. News of the film’s cancelation, a result of the merger between HBO Max and Discovery, made waves in August. However, Warner Bros. commended Grace’s portrayal of the Gotham City vigilante and said they would welcome a future collaboration with the actress.
The cancelation of Batgirl was a disappointment for its cast but also for fans who were hoping to see Michael Keaton’s return to Gotham. Brendan Fraser, who is having a great comeback year, was also scheduled to appear in the film.
