Mindy Kaling and Max Greenfield are teaming up with Tess Sanchez to adapt Sanchez's book ‘We've Decided to Go In a Different Direction’ for Warner Bros. Television.
Mindy Kaling and Max Greenfield are set to collaborate with Tess Sanchez on a television adaptation of Sanchez's bestselling book, We’ve Decided to Go in a Different Direction. Warner Bros. Television announced the development on September 3, 2026, with Kaling attached as an executive producer through her company, Kaling International.
The series will be based on We’ve Decided to Go in a Different Direction, a collection of essays by Tess Sanchez. In her book, Sanchez draws from her personal experiences, providing a humorous and heartfelt look at navigating dramatic career changes in Hollywood. After losing her role as a casting director in 2020, she faced the complexities of evolving her identity while managing family responsibilities, including motherhood and caring for her ailing father.
The show's comedic tone aligns well with Kaling's previous work, which often tackles themes of personal growth and resilience. In forming this partnership, Sanchez and Greenfield sought Kaling's involvement to bring authenticity to the adaptation, as they previously established working relationships through various projects. Sanchez oversaw casting for Kaling's earlier series, The Mindy Project, where Greenfield featured prominently.
In addition to Kaling, 3 Arts Entertainment founder Howard Klein is also on board as an executive producer. Tess Sanchez and her husband, Max Greenfield, will lend their creative insights to the project, with a search for writers already underway. Sanchez’s rich history in the entertainment industry includes a pivotal role as Vice President of Talent and Casting at The WB, where she contributed to iconic shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson’s Creek.
Max Greenfield is currently enjoying success with a notable role in Don’t Say Good Luck, which recently amassed over 25 million views on Netflix in its first three weeks. He is recognized for his performance in the long-running CBS sitcom The Neighborhood and has recently joined the cast of the critically acclaimed The White Lotus.
With both Greenfield and Kaling’s established backgrounds in comedic storytelling and Sanchez’s firsthand narrative, this adaptation promises to resonate with an audience familiar with the complexities of career changes, particularly in a high-stakes environment like Hollywood.
Warner Bros. Television continues to diversify its programming slate by adapting personal memoirs and essays that introduce new voices and perspectives. This trend reflects a growing audience interest in authentic, relatable content. As the project progresses, the involvement of established talents like Kaling, Greenfield, and Sanchez adds significant credibility to the adaptation, potentially drawing in viewers who appreciate both comedic formats and personal stories.
The adaptation of Tess Sanchez's book by prominent figures in the entertainment industry emphasizes a broader trend towards personal narrative storytelling in television. Kaling and Greenfield's combined efforts promise to produce content that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, spotlighting real-life experiences in a relatable manner. While specific release dates and additional casting have not been announced, this project marks a significant step forward in the collaboration between seasoned industry professionals looking to tell genuine stories for today’s audience.
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