What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T2 WHATS UP! July 1 - 7, 2018 BY KYLA BREWER TV Media A revolution is brew- ing — a television revolution, that is. While there's no shortage of lighthearted fare in prime time, socially con- scious TV shows have been trending as of late, and AMC's latest hit packs a powerful punch with its feminist slant. Joy Nash ("Twin Peaks: The Return") stars as Plum Kettle, an overweight magazine writ- er who gets caught between two rival feminist factions in the 10-episode series "Diet- land," airing Monday, July 2, on AMC. Based on the best- selling, critically acclaimed book of the same name by Sa- rai Walker, the show was brought to television by Marti Noxon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"). "Dietland" is equal parts drama and comedy as it cri- tiques the beauty industry and society in general for its ob- session with weight and the near-impossible ideals im- posed upon women. As Plum prepares for the surgery that will give her the so-called "perfect" body, she's torn be- tween old ideas and new ex- tremes when she's approached by an underground organiza- tion determined to challenge the status quo. She also learns of a group of feminists bent on getting revenge against sexual predators. The role requires an actress capable of being both conflict- ed and funny, and producers put their faith in Nash from the get-go. When it was an- nounced that the actress had taken the lead in the new se- ries way back in August 2017, creator Noxon spoke highly of their new star. "Joy is everything I hoped we'd find in our leading wom- an — beautiful, smart and blazing with talent," Noxon said. "When she auditioned, the whole room was electri- fied." Nash is in good company. Producers were equally excit- ed to announce the casting of Julianna Margulies of "ER" and "The Good Wife," who plays Plum's boss at Austen Joy Nash and Julianna Margulies star in "Dietland" Girl power continued on page T10 TV FEATURE