Showtime picks up Kirsten Dunst YouTube series

Showtime has picked up On Becoming a God in Central Florida, a nine part series starring Kirsten Dunst that was previously set to debut on YouTube.

The acquisition comes as YouTube scales back its original scripted series slate and moves away from a premium content model towards an ad-supported model for originals. YouTube has held off on buying scripted titles since late last year, and recently cancelled four scripted shows, including Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television, Champaign ILL, Sideswiped and Do You Want to See a Dead Body.

On Becoming a God in Central Florida, which is produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures and Sony’s TriStar Television, will now launch on August 25 on Showtime.

The ’90s-set drama is the story of one woman’s pursuit of wealth inside a pyramid scheme.

Dunst leads an ensemble that also features Théodore Pellerin, Beth Ditto, Mel Rodriguez, Ted Levine, Alexander Skarsgård, and Mary Steenburgen.

“We were immediately drawn to this stylish and subversive female empowerment story starring Kirsten Dunst as you’ve never seen her before,” said Showtime entertainment president Gary Levine. “Throw in clever writing, inventive filmmaking, a strong, diverse ensemble and some alligators, and we’re confident Showtime audiences will find On Becoming a God irresistible!”