Neil Patrick Harris has a long record of success and artistic accomplishments, and his new role as star of “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” is likely to be added to his list of popular achievements. A small-screen version of the children’s book series is scheduled to debut on Netflix on Jan. 13. Harris will portray the evil Count Olaf, who schemes to seize the inheritances of the three Baudelaire orphans; Violet, Klaus and Sunny.
Joan Cusack joins cast
Joining the cast is veteran actress Joan Cusack, who will portray Justice Strauss.
Like Harris, Cusack has a long list of achievements. Among her most-recent roles is the agoraphobic Sheila Jackson in the Showtime TV series “Shameless.” She has been nominated for two Academy Awards; in 1989 for “Working Girl” and in 1998 for “In & Out.”
A star is born?
An increasingly familiar face in the cast is Malina Weissman, who portrays Violet. She may be most familiar to fans as the actress who has portrayed a young Kara Zor-El in seven episodes of
The CW’s series “Supergirl.” Her other credits include her portrayal of the young April O’Neill in 2014 feature film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles;” and as Renee Epstein in episodes of “Difficult People,” an original comedy series made for Hulu.
If the Netflix series catches on, Weissman could become the second child star given a major boost by Netflix. In 2016, “Stranger Things” created a star in Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven in the series.
From barbarian to orphan
Rounding out the major members of the cast is Louis Hynes, who will portray Klaus. Hynes’ previous credits include his portrayal of Young Alaric in the television series “Barbarians Rising.” The History Channel documentary sought to bring to life the battles between the Roman Empire and legendary figures who were considered to be barbarians.
It began with Doogie
Harris has been earning fans and awards since 1989, when his series “Doogie Howser, M.D.” The then 16-year-old actor was nominated for a People’s Choice Award. Among the award-winning performances in more-recent years have been for “How I Met Your Mother” and “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.” He has also hosted Tony and Academy Award ceremonies.
