Aubrey Plaza is no stranger to playing sharp-edged, morally complex women—but her latest role might be her most explosive yet. The Emmy-nominated star of Agatha All Along and Megalopolis is set to produce and portray Heidi Fleiss, the notorious “Hollywood Madam” whose high-profile prostitution ring scandalized Tinseltown in the 1990s, in The Heidi Fleiss Story. The project, announced today as an exclusive, marks a bold step for Plaza, who continues to carve out a career defined by daring choices and darkly comedic flair.
Directed by Leah Rachel, creator of Netflix’s supernatural drama Chambers, the film promises a frenetic, high-stakes portrait of Fleiss in the chaotic lead-up to her trial. Co-written by Rachel, rising indie darling Rachel Sennott (Bottoms), and Travis Jackson, the script zeroes in on Fleiss’s desperate attempts to leverage her black book of powerful clients—Hollywood elites, politicians, and business moguls—to evade prosecution. Alongside her is Jaclyn, a fictional aspiring writer drawn into the whirlwind, adding a layer of outsider perspective to the tabloid frenzy.
For Plaza, the role is a natural fit. Known for her deadpan wit and ability to oscillate between menace and vulnerability, she’s built a reputation for playing women who defy easy categorization—whether it’s the scheming Harper in The White Lotus or the sardonic Lenny in Legion. Fleiss, a polarizing figure who weaponized secrets against the rich and famous, offers fertile ground for Plaza’s signature blend of charisma and unpredictability.
The film is backed by Pinky Promise, the rising production shingle behind Andrea Arnold’s Bird and Pamela Anderson’s career-redefining The Last Showgirl. With a slate that balances arthouse prestige and audacious storytelling, the company has quickly become a haven for bold female voices. Producers Jessamine Burgum and Kara Durrett will shepherd the project alongside Plaza’s Evil Hag Productions, further cementing the actress’s commitment to offbeat, female-driven narratives.
Plaza’s dance card is undeniably full. She’ll soon star opposite Chris Evans in Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t, voice a role in Legendary’s Animal Friends, and appear in Zack Woods’ directorial debut The Accompanist with Susan Sarandon. But The Heidi Fleiss Story feels particularly personal—a chance to excavate the contradictions of a woman who was both vilified and vindicated by the system she exploited.
Casting is currently underway for key supporting roles, with production set to begin in Los Angeles soon. If Plaza’s track record is any indication, her Fleiss won’t be a mere impersonation but a full-bodied reinvention—one that leans into the absurdity, desperation, and sheer audacity of a scandal that still captivates decades later. In an era obsessed with power, exploitation, and redemption, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Expect fireworks.
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