Cougar Town actor Dan Byrd is set to lead the indie thriller Autobiography, the feature directorial debut of filmmaking duo Jennifer Downes and John Pena Griswold, collectively recognized as The Married Brothers.
Byrd stars as Bryce, a struggling writer who arrives at his high school reunion with his wife, played by Devika Bhise. Expecting to run into an old tormentor (Jeremie Harris) and the bully’s ambitious fiancée (Gus Birney), Bryce instead encounters Jeb, a mysterious outsider portrayed by Sam Gilroy. Jeb carries a chilling manuscript — Bryce’s life story, written without his consent and ending in a violent conclusion that hasn’t yet come to pass.
The producers describe the film as an exploration of identity in an increasingly curated digital world:
“In an age where everyone becomes the protagonist of their own online narrative — where careers, relationships, and even trauma are packaged like content — what happens when someone else takes command of your story?”
Downes and Pena Griswold are directing the film in Orange, New Jersey, working from their own screenplay. Nicole Townsend is producing and will be presenting the project at the American Film Market.
Byrd’s past TV work includes roles in Young Sheldon, Utopia, The Good Doctor, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. He is represented by Reliant Talent Agency and Industry Entertainment.
Bhise — known for The Man Who Knew Infinity and The Warrior Queen of Jhansi — is represented by Ethos Entertainment.
Gilroy (Michael Clayton, The Bourne Legacy) is repped by Stride Management, while Harris (Legion, Fargo) is with Paradigm Talent Agency and Suskin/Karshan Management. Birney (Black Rabbit, Shining Vale) is represented by CESD Talent Agency alongside Suskin/Karshan Management.
