Raising Hope is an American comedy television series that premiered on Fox on September 21, 2010.^[1] The half-hour single-camera comedy airs on Tuesdays at 9 pm.^[2][3]

Premise

A 23-year-old must raise his infant daughter, conceived by a one-night stand, with the help of his flawed family after the baby's mother (who has killed multiple boyfriends) is given the death sentence and executed when the baby is only six months old.

Development and production

In June 2009, Fox announced it had booked a put pilot commitment with show creator Greg Garcia.^[4][5] Michael Fresco signed on to direct the pilot in September 2009, which was originally titled Keep Hope Alive.^[6]

Casting announcements began in November, with Martha Plimpton and Lucas Neff as the first actors cast, and Olesya Rulin joining the cast shortly thereafter.^[7][8] Neff will portray the lead role of 23-year old Jimmy, the father to infant Hope, with Plimpton playing his mother, Virginia.^[7] Garret Dillahunt came on board in late November to portray Jimmy's father, Burt.^[9]

In early December 2009, Kate Micucci was added to the cast as Sabrina's cousin. The role was originally created as a male named Mike.^[10][11] The pilot was filmed in December 2009.^[12][13]

In early spring 2010, reports stated that Cloris Leachman would portray Jimmy's grandmother, Maw Maw.^[14][15] In March, Fox decided to recast two roles from the pilot. Shannon Woodward replaced Olesya Rulin as a love interest for Jimmy.^[16] Also recast was the role of Jimmy's cousin, and the role reverted back to male with the addition of Skyler Stone.^[13][17]

Fox green-lit the pilot to series with an order in mid-May 2010.^[18][19] On May 17, 2010, Fox announced at the upfront presentation that the series, with the new title Raising Hope, was included in its 2010-11 television schedule and set for a fall 2010 premiere.^[2][20]

Global picked up the Canadian broadcast rights and added the show to its fall schedule^[21].

Sky1 picked up the UK broadcast rights and also added the show to its 2010-2011 UK Autumn Schedule which will begin in November 2010.

On October 6, Fox ordered 9 more episodes of the first season bringing the first season to a full 22 episodes.^[22] It was the first full-season pickup of the 2010-2011 primetime television schedule.

Cast

Main cast

• Lucas Neff as Jimmy Chance
• Martha Plimpton as Virginia Chance
• Garret Dillahunt as Burt Chance
• Shannon Woodward as Sabrina
• Cloris Leachman as Maw Maw

Guest cast

• Bijou Phillips as Lucy^[23]
• Kate Micucci as Shelly^[24]
• Skyler Stone as Mike

Reception

Ratings

The show premiered with a total of 7.5 million American viewers.

References

External links

• Official website
• Raising Hope at the Internet Movie Database