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Catherine Keener and Sally Hawkins Join FX Comedy How and Why

Academy Award-nominated actresses Catherine Keener and Sally Hawkins have joined the cast of FX's comedy pilot How and Why, TVGuide.com has learned. In the half-hour comedy, a brilliant man (John Hawkes) is able to explain how and why a nuclear reactor works, but is clueless about the rest of life. After...

Natalie Abrams
Natalie Abrams

Academy Award-nominated actresses Catherine Keener and Sally Hawkins have joined the cast of FX's comedy pilot How and Why, TVGuide.com has learned.

In the half-hour comedy, a brilliant man (John Hawkes) is able to explain how and why a nuclear reactor works, but is clueless about the rest of life. After losing his job hosting a children's science show, he has to start over hosting a new show in the middle of nowhere where he encounters the supernatural world. As previously announced, Michael Cera will play his new boss at the studio.

Awards season wrap-up: Which look was best?

Details on Kenner and Hawkins' roles were not released. If the show is picked up to series, Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) will be a series regular and Kenner (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) will be listed as a guest star.  

Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) will write and direct the pilot as well as executive-produce alongside Anthony Bregman.