Wendi McLendon-Covey Joins the Romy and Michele Sequel as Cast Rounds Out
Wendi McLendon-Covey has joined the cast of the upcoming Romy and Michele sequel, rounding out an ensemble that blends returning originals with fresh faces. Deadline reported the casting exclusively on 14 August 2026. The film, a Hulu Original in the US, began shooting in Los Angeles in June.
Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino reprise the title roles they created in the 1997 comedy Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, released by Disney's Buena Vista label. Robin Schiff, who wrote the original screenplay, returns to script the sequel. Tim Federle directs, with Laurence Mark — producer of the first film — back as producer alongside Federle.
The returning cast runs deep. Alan Cumming, Janeane Garofalo, Camryn Manheim and Julia Campbell are all set to reprise their roles. New additions include Keegan-Michael Key, Rob Huebel, Breckin Meyer, Patrick Warburton, Nathan Lee Graham, Anna Baryshnikov and Sofia Wylie. Sorvino, Kudrow and Schiff share executive producing credits with Barry Kemp. Kimberly McCullough co-produces, and Sarah Shepard oversees the project for 20th.
McLendon-Covey brings a long comedy résumé to the production. She currently stars in NBC's workplace comedy St. Denis Medical, which returns for its third season on 2 November. Before that, she starred in and executive produced ABC's The Goldbergs, which wrapped a 10-season run in 2023. Her roots are in improvisation: she trained at the Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, the famed sketch and improv school whose alumni populate American comedy on both coasts.
For fans of the original, the sequel's cast list reads like a reunion invitation that kept growing. The 1997 film, a modest theatrical release that found a durable second life on home video and cable, turned Romy and Michele's friendship — and their spectacularly ill-advised high school reunion outfits — into a cultural touchstone. Nearly three decades on, Schiff's return as writer means the voice stays in the same hands.
Behind the camera, the structure is a studio picture with streaming distribution. 20th, the production label, will deliver the film to Hulu for US audiences; international distribution arrangements have not been disclosed. Federle, best known for creating Disney+'s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, steps into feature comedy direction with a cast built for it.
McLendon-Covey is represented by UTA, manager Gladys Gonzalez and attorney David Krintzman. A release date for the sequel has not been announced.
