'Succession' duo reunite in short film 'Elderwood'
The 'Succession' duo Peter Friedman and David Rasche reunite in the upcoming short film 'Elderwood.' The 15-minute project from director Luke Gardiner also stars Laura Esterman and follows a reserved widower whose routine is disrupted at a senior living facility. Filming took place at Drum Hill Senior Living in Peekskill, New York.
Key Takeaways
- Friedman and Rasche played Logan Roy loyalists Frank Vernon and Karl Muller on HBO's 'Succession.'
- 'Elderwood' follows Atticus, a reserved widower whose quiet routine shifts when a free-spirited couple moves in next door.
- Luke Gardiner directed and co-wrote the film with Lucia Perri at Drum Hill Senior Living in Peekskill, New York.
- February Problem Films and IACON Pictures backed the independent production.
- Variety describes the project as an upcoming short with no premiere details announced.
What is 'Elderwood' about?
According to Variety, 'Elderwood' centers on Atticus, described as a reserved widower whose quiet routine is disrupted when a free-spirited couple moves in next door. That encounter leads him into an unexpected late-life coming-of-age.
Director Luke Gardiner said he drew on watching his grandparents navigate complicated romances in senior living communities during his teenage years. With 'Elderwood,' he aimed to project the visual language of coming-of-age films onto senior living as an unfamiliar canvas.
Why does this reunion matter for 'Succession' fans?
On HBO's 'Succession,' Friedman played Frank Vernon and Rasche played Karl Muller, two Logan Roy loyalists on the drama. Their return together in a new project gives fans a fresh chance to see the actors share the screen.
Rasche called the script very unusual, interesting, and moving, and said Peter and Laura were absolutely wonderful. Friedman added he had not seen a story like that before. For viewers following cast news in streaming and TV alerts, 'Elderwood' is a notable post-'Succession' collaboration.
Who else is involved in the project?
Beyond the 'Succession' duo Peter Friedman and David Rasche, the cast includes Laura Esterman, known for 'Addams Family Values' and 'I Know This Much Is True.' Esterman praised Gardiner as a director with an obviously clear vision of the world and said playing such original characters with two actors whose work she loves was a joy.
Gardiner co-wrote the screenplay with Lucia Perri. The short was filmed at Drum Hill Senior Living in Peekskill, New York, where residents and atmosphere informed the production. Gardiner noted the veteran cast embraced long independent-film days and trusted a filmmaker roughly a quarter of their age.
Who produced 'Elderwood'?
'Elderwood' was produced by Oliver Schneider and Casey Friedman through February Problem Films, a new independent production company based in New York. Jack Levine, Haiba Khan, and Joe Meyer also served as producers, while Isaac F. Davis's IACON Pictures provided production services.
Variety reported the project exclusively on July 6, 2026. The trade describes the 15-minute film as upcoming, with no premiere date or distribution platform confirmed in the initial report.