Seymour Hoffman’s Showtime series in doubt after death

The Showtime series actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was working on before his death yesterday looks likely to be shelved.

The Capote actor’s untimely passing means future of Happyish is unclear just two weeks after CBS-owned Showtime announced the 10-part series at the TCA tour.

Seymour Hoffman, considered among the finest movie actors of his generation, was found dead at his New York apartment following a reported drug overdose.

Happyish was to be the Oscar-winner’s first starring role in a TV series. It was billed as a ‘very personal’ comedy following a successful but self loathing New York ad agency creative director played by Hoffman.

Showtime is unlikely to confirm whether it intends to continue with the project immediately, given the uncertain circumstances of the tragedy but an unnamed source told US website E! News it was “unlikely” to proceed.

“It is hard to imagine a way in which it could go on,” the source added. “His role would have to be recast and there weren’t any other actors in serious consideration aside from Philip. If the show does move forward, the premiere would be delayed as pilot would need to be reshot.”

Showtime couldn’t be reached before press time this morning but it released a statement to US news outlets reading: “Philip Seymour Hoffman was one of our generation’s finest and most brilliant actors. He was also a gifted comedic talent. It was a great privilege and pleasure to work with him and we are all absolutely devastated by this sudden loss. Our thoughts go out to his family at this very difficult time.”