Susan Lucci is making her return to acting after nearly a decade away from television, joining an ensemble cast that includes Keanu Reeves in the upcoming dark comedy Outcome. The film, directed by Jonah Hill, will premiere on Apple TV+ and marks a significant comeback for the daytime television icon who spent decades on the soap opera All My Children.
Lucci plays Dinah Hawk in the film, which centers on a Hollywood actor forced to confront his past when he becomes the target of blackmail. The project brings together a notable cast including Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, David Spade, and Laverne Cox, among others.
Background
Susan Lucci became a household name through her role as Erica Kane on All My Children, one of the most iconic characters in daytime television history. She remained with the soap opera for decades before it ended in 2012. Following the show's cancellation, Lucci continued to work in television, appearing in Lifetime's Devious Maids as Genevieve Delatour, where she demonstrated her range as a comedic actress.
In December 2023, Lucci received the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to television. Despite this honor and her continued presence in the entertainment industry, her acting roles became less frequent in recent years, making her involvement in Outcome a notable return to a major film project.
Key Details
Outcome began production in March 2024 in Los Angeles and marks the first collaboration between Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz since 1996's Feeling Minnesota. Jonah Hill not only directs the film but also co-wrote the screenplay with Ezra Woods and stars as Ira Slitz, a crisis lawyer who becomes central to the plot.
The film follows Reef Hawk, played by Reeves, an actor who has been sober for five years and has stepped back from his career. When Reef receives word that someone is blackmailing him with a compromising video from his past, his carefully rebuilt life unravels. He embarks on a journey to make amends with people he has wronged, attempting to identify his blackmailer in the process.
Lucci joins the cast alongside several other notable performers. Laverne Cox plays Virginia Allen Green and has described her role as substantial, appearing in what she characterized as a one-act play within the film. David Spade takes on the role of Buddy, while Matt Bomer and Cameron Diaz play Xander and Kyle respectively, both friends of Reef's character.
Production Timeline
Apple TV+ acquired the film in April 2023, with Keanu Reeves confirmed to star in January 2024. Principal photography began on March 20, 2024, and Lucci was added to the cast in April 2024, along with David Spade, Laverne Cox, and Roy Wood Jr. The film is produced by Apple Original Films and Apple Studios through Strong Baby Productions.
What This Means
Lucci's return to acting in a major film production signals a broader shift in how the entertainment industry views veteran performers. Rather than fading away, established actors are being brought into high-profile projects that blend comedy with drama and star contemporary Hollywood names.
The casting also reflects the film's ambition to create a dark comedy with depth and star power. By bringing together performers from different eras and backgrounds—from Reeves' action film legacy to Lucci's soap opera fame—the project aims to reach multiple audiences.
"I felt all roads for Erica led back to Jack Montgomery. He was the one who wouldn't leave and couldn't get out of her life, and she couldn't walk away from him too much," Lucci once reflected on her iconic character, showing the depth of connection she developed with her role over the years.
For Lucci specifically, Outcome represents more than just a return to acting. It places her in a contemporary setting alongside major film stars and in a project that will reach global audiences through Apple TV+. Her role in Devious Maids had already demonstrated that she could deliver comedic performances, and her selection for Outcome suggests filmmakers see her as capable of contributing meaningfully to a complex ensemble piece.
The film's dark comedy tone also offers something different from the dramatic work Lucci built her career on, suggesting she continues to evolve as a performer. With production completed and the film set for release on Apple's streaming platform, Lucci's comeback project will introduce her talents to a new generation of viewers while reminding longtime fans why she became such a beloved figure in entertainment.
