Renée Zellweger Signs On To Star In Social-Thriller Netflix Series ‘What/If’

Renée Zellweger is a bit of an enigma. The actress had a huge moment in the spotlight during the late-‘90s and early-2000s, with films like “Jerry Maguire,” “Nurse Betty,” “Chicago,” and “Bridget Jones’ Diary.” Those films launched her into the A-list and she rode that wave to great acclaim, with Golden Globe nominations and an Academy Award win for her role in “Cold Mountain.” Then as the 2010s hit, the actress pretty much retreated from the limelight. But now, she’s coming back in a big way.

Zellweger’s most recent high-profile role was in “Bridget Jones’s Baby,” which was a modest hit, but failed to live up to the previous films in the franchise. And now, the actress is taking her shot at a series, with a new project on Netflix.

Today, Netflix announced that Zellweger will star in the upcoming series “What/If.” The series tells the story of the ripple effect of when normal people start to do not-so-acceptable things. It’s being pitched as an anthology series, where each season will tackle a different tale of morality. Not much else is known about the series at this time, other than Zellweger will star as the character Anne.

“What/If” comes from the mind of writer-showrunner Mike Kelley. The producer-writer is a veteran of TV, having created the series “Swingtown” and “Revenge.” The latter of the two was on air for 4 seasons and starred Madeleine Stowe and Emily VanCamp.

No release date is set, but you can add “What/If” to the ridiculously long list of high-profile projects coming your way from the streaming service.

Here’s the synopsis:

Social thriller What/If explores the ripple effects of what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things. Each season will tackle a different morality tale inspired by culturally consequential source material, and the power of a single fateful decision to change the trajectory of an entire life. The series stars Academy Award winner Renée Zellweger (Cold Mountain, Jerry Maguire, Chicago, Bridget Jones movies) in the role of Anne. In her distinguished career she has also received three Golden Globe and SAG awards.