The eight-episode HBO comedy “How to be a Bookie'' began filming in late February in Los Angeles. Sebastian Maniscalco, who stars in the series as Danny, is described as “a veteran bookie [who] struggles to survive the impending legalization of sports gambinly, increasingly unstable clients, co-workers, and a lifestyle that bounce him around every corner of Los Angeles, high and low.”
The show comes from co-creators Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, who executive produce along with Maniscalco. “It’s an absolute dream to work with Sebastian Maniscalco — whom I’ve been a fan of for years,” Lorre said to Variety. “To have my first project at HBO Max with such an incredibly gifted comedian and alongside Nick Bakay is the trifecta. I can’t wait to get started.”
Although “How to be a Bookie,” will be Lorre’s first series with HBO Max, the producer is no stranger to successful streaming shows. Lorre created the Netflix series “The Kominsky method,” which won the Golden Globe for best comedy series in 2019, and co-created the Netflix comedy “Disjointed,” according to Variety. He’s also known for co-creating hit broadcast shows like “The Big Bang Theory,” “Two and a half Men,” and “Young Sheldon.”
(Photo Credit: Ticketmaster.com)
Alongside Maniscalco, the series will feature Omar J. Dorsey as Ray, Andrea Anders as Sandra, Vanessa Ferlito as Lorraine, and Jorge Garcia as Hector. Below are their brief character descriptions, according to Variety.
Ray – Danny’s partner in their LA-based bookie business. He once had a promising NFL career that was ended by an injury. He was raised by his grandmother who struggled to make ends meet.
Sandra – Danny’s wife, with whom she shares a 10-year-old son with. She’s a former Vegas cocktail waitress who hasn’t had an easy life.
Lorraine – A genius and a stone-cold criminal, she’s also Danny’s sister and office manager of the bookie operation.
Hector – A weed dealer whose business was shot when weed was legalized in the state. He’s now an unhappy Lyft driver who tries to make himself an invaluable member of the bookie team.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.