Jessica Chastain & Octavia Spencer to Lead ‘Deck the Y’alls’

‘The Help’s Jessica Chastain & Octavia Spencer on for ‘Deck the Y’alls’

The pair are back together for the new holiday comedy, which will co-star Wanda Sykes and comes from Tracy Oliver, the writer of ‘Girls Trip’.

(L to R) Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer in 'The Help'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Preview:

Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer will co-star in new holiday comedy ‘Deck the Y’alls’.
Wanda Sykes is also in the cast.
The movie is scheduled to shoot next year.

2011 drama ‘The Help’ certainly –– pun entirely intended and apologized for –– helped boost the careers of Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer, since both were nominated for Oscars and Spencer took home the Best Supporting Actress trophy.

They’ve been looking to collaborate again since then for years and have now found the project in the shape of ‘Deck the Y’alls’, a new Christmas-set comedy.

Deck the Y'alls

Not Yet RatedComedy

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer, Wanda Sykes

It’s relatively early days for this one, with no director in place –– with a shoot planned for next year and Wanda Sykes also aboard to bring her comic stylings to the movie –– we’d expect it to be set up quickly.

What’s the story of ‘Deck the Y’alls’?

(L to R) Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer in 'The Help'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

The new movie, written by ‘Girls Trip’ scribe Tracy Oliver alongside Stefanie Williams, follows a New York baker named Rachel Stein (Chastain), who falls for Beau, a younger Southern gentleman, and heads to Charleston, South Carolina to spend Christmas with his family.

But over-protective matriarch Gladys Gibbes (Spencer) is a celebrity chef who clashes with Rachel.

What else is happening with Jessica Chastain?

Jessica Chastain in 'The Savant,', coming soon to Apple TV+.

There has been less entertaining news for the actor/producer, who saw the release of her Apple TV+ series ‘The Savant’ put on indefinite hold just three days before it was due to hit the streaming service.

The show, which stars Chastain, follows an undercover investigator known as “The Savant” who infiltrates online hate groups to stop domestic extremists before they act. Apple is seemingly worried about the series causing political blowback.

This was Apple’s statement on the delay:

“After careful consideration, we have made the decision to postpone 'The Savant'. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date.”

For her part, Chastain hit Instagram to explain that she’s “not aligned” with the decision to pause the show’s release...

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A post shared by Jessica Chastain (@jessicachastain)

When will ‘Deck the Y’alls’ be in theaters?

The movie has the backing of Sandbox Studios, as well as Spencer’s ORIT Entertainment, Chastain’s Freckle Films and Sony Music Vision. According to Variety’s report, the producers are seeking distribution, so we’ll likely find out the release date once a partner is secured.