Making “Daisy Jones & the Six”: A Family Affair

Introduction

Making “Daisy Jones & the Six” was more than just another show for Scott Neustadter and Lauren Neustadter. It was a family affair. Scott and his writing partner, Michael Weber, received an early copy of the “Daisy Jones” manuscript, written by author Taylor Jenkins Reid, before it even found a publisher. Neustadter, a music junkie, immediately fell in love with the script and knew the perfect home for it: Reese Witherspoon’s company Hello Sunshine — where his wife, Lauren, had just joined as president of film and television.

A Collaboration Begins

As the Neustadters both set out on their own paths to make “Daisy Jones” a reality, a collaboration was inevitable. The couple, who have been together for nearly 16 years, first met after Lauren had read the script to “(500) Days of Summer” and wanted to meet the writers. Six months later, at a back-to-school party, the duo ran into each other and the rest is history. Scott and Lauren Neustadter married in October 2010 and became each other’s most valuable consultant in their careers.

The Discovery of “Daisy Jones”

When Scott was given that early unpublished copy of “Daisy Jones,” he knew he had to tell Lauren about it. He texted her and said, “I’m sure you know about this, but what do you think of it? This Daisy book is great.” It turns out she hadn’t heard of it yet, but Scott knew this was perfect for Hello Sunshine. He urged Lauren to jump on it and she immediately got the book. Together, they colluded to make sure Taylor Jenkins Reid chose them over other potential producers.

Securing the Project

Lauren called Reid’s lawyer to get her own copy of the “Daisy Jones” manuscript. After reading it, she reached out to Reese Witherspoon and asked her to start reading the book. Witherspoon quickly became obsessed and asked what they needed to do to secure the project. The Neustadters, along with Witherspoon, held meetings with Reid and expressed their desire to turn the book into a television show.

A Unique Pitch

Hello Sunshine, known for its book adaptations, was still a new company at that time. In their bid to acquire the project, Scott and Lauren had a unique pitch. They wanted Reese’s expertise as a producer and knew she was a big music fan. Scott had a clear vision for the show as a television series, rather than a movie. They knew they had to write a spec script to convince others to give them a series order.

Overcoming Challenges

The journey to bring “Daisy Jones” to life was not without its challenges. COVID-19 shut down production right before it was set to begin. However, the Neustadters believe that this unexpected delay allowed the cast to bond and truly become a band, which ultimately added to the authenticity of the show. Despite setbacks, the show received Emmy nominations for outstanding drama.

A Potential Future

Although “Daisy Jones” was initially billed as a limited series, the Neustadters believe that there is potential for the band to stage a comeback, much like Fleetwood Mac. They hope to one day see a real-life “Daisy Jones & the Six” concert. Additionally, they haven’t ruled out the possibility of another season or continuation of the story, with the participation of Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Working Together Again

The couple also expressed their desire to work together again in the future. Lauren has sent Scott numerous books over the years, but none have been the right fit. However, the experience of working on “Daisy Jones” was a great one for both of them, and they are open to collaborating on another project.

Conclusion

Making “Daisy Jones & the Six” was not only a professional endeavor for Scott and Lauren Neustadter, but also a personal one. The success of the show is a testament to their collaboration, passion, and shared love of storytelling. As the journey continues, they are excited to see where their careers and partnership will take them next.