Casting ‘The First Shots’, Adam McKay’s HBO Series on the COVID-19 Vaccine

HBO is teaming up with Succession’s executive producer Adam McKay to bring to life a limited series about the creation of the COVID-19 vaccine. The First Shots series will be based on the book The First Shots: The Epic Rivalries and Heroic Science Behind the Race to the Coronavirus Vaccine by Brendan Borrell. The award-winning journalist based the book on his coverage of the global race that took place in 2020 to deliver the lifesaving vaccine to billions of people. He focused his book on the key players who made the vaccine’s creation and distribution a reality including scientists, politicians, and billionaire CEOs.

It will explore the work that was put in to save people’s lives, the science that the vaccine is based on, and the challenges that played out around politics, access, and safety. The series will feature scientists and researchers Kizzmekia Corbett, Katalin Kariko, and Sarah Gilbert, as well as Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel. Aside from having McKay on board, casting the right actors to portray these influential people is key to making this limited series as impactful as it needs to be. Scroll down to see the dream cast we put together for The First Shots.