Showtime snags Steven Spielberg and Diablo Cody's Tara

Showtime has picked up the Diablo Cody-penned sitcom The United States of Tara for 12 half-hour episodes, including pilot. As previously reported, Steven Spielberg is producing the endeavor that now will begin filming this summer. Showtime president Robert Greenblatt said he hopes to launch the show early next year, though there is no definite air date yet.

Alexa Junge will act as executive producer, along with Cody, Spielberg and DreamWorks Television’s Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank. Aside from the brief run of Taken in 2002, Tara marks Spielberg’s return to television 13 years after SeaQuest DSV, Variety reports.

Spielberg conceptualized the initial plot idea about an everyday mother who sustains multiple personality disorder. The program will chronicle how her dysfunctional family copes with the different mental changes in persona, age and even gender that the condition creates. Toni Collette is set to play Tara and John Corbett will play Max, her husband.

“The combination of Diablo Coby's vision and Toni Collette's brilliance at playing her characters(cq) is irresistible,” Greenblatt told the Hollywood Reporter. “It's a very provocative idea, and there's a combination of humor and real drama. It's a unique show that seems to be right up our alley.”

Cody’s next offering can be expected in the form of teen horror Jennifer’s Body, which is expected for release next year.

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