Jessica Biel to play Hugh Hefner’s fictional wife in ‘Playmates’

Lorraine Nicholson will make her feature debut as writer and director of the Searchlight film

Jessica Biel has joined the cast of Playmates, a film from Searchlight Pictures that marks Lorraine Nicholson’s feature writing and directorial debut.

Biel will star opposite Lily Rose Depp, Bill Pullman and Indiana Elle in the project. She will play the wife of Hugh Hefner, portrayed by Pullman, who is herself a former Playmate. The character is fictional and is not based on any of Hefner’s real wives.

According to the official logline, the story follows 13 year old Elle, a know it all who considers the Playboy Mansion her second home. She meets Anna, played by Depp, one of seven hopefuls competing to become Playmate of the Month. The pair develop an unlikely friendship as they try to help each other achieve their goals, with Elle seeking a magazine cover and Anna hoping to win over a boy.

Playmates is being written and directed by Nicholson, who is making her debut behind the camera. Alex Orlovsky and Duncan Montgomery will produce through High Frequency Entertainment, while Depp is also attached as a producer alongside her acting role.

Searchlight Pictures is overseeing the film, with Richard Ruiz, the studio’s vice president of production, and creative executive Cornelia Burleigh overseeing the project. They report to heads of production and development DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson Thomas.

Biel has worked across film and television throughout her career, with credits including The Illusionist, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day and The A Team. Her television work includes 7th Heaven, Candy and The Sinner.

Her role in The Sinner earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Biel has developed a producing career through her Iron Ocean banner, which has been involved with projects including Cruel Summer, Limetown, Candy and The Sinner.

Further production details and a release date for Playmates have yet to be announced.