Issa Rae, Dan Stevens, Zach Cherry and Kate Berlant Join Monarch Media’s ‘Babies,’ Starring Anna Kendrick and Seth Rogen

Issa Rae (“Insecure,” “Barbie”), Dan Stevens (“Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire,” “Zero Day”), Zach Cherry (“Severance”) and Kate Berlant (“Maddie’s Secret,” “Would It Kill You to Laugh”) have joined Lauren Miller Rogen’s contemporary comedy drama “Babies,” starring Anna Kendrick (“Woman of the Hour,” “Pitch Perfect” franchise, “Up in the Air”) and Seth Rogen (“The Studio,” “This Is the End,” “Pineapple Express”).

“Babies” has just started shooting on location in Los Angeles with the support of the California Film Commission’s Film and Television Tax Credit.

The film centers on Annie (Kendrick) and her husband Aaron (Rogen), who are struggling with the decision of whether or not to bring a child into the world, and become instant co-parents when their newly-divorced friend moves into their home with her 4-year-old. “It is an ensemble comedy drama about the journey to parenthood… or not,” according to a statement.

Producers include Lylas Pictures’ Lauren Miller Rogen and Jen W. Ray, AGC’s Stuart Ford, and Monarch’s Steve Barnett, with AGC’s Miguel A. Palos, Jr. and Zach Garrett, Monarch’s Alan Powell and Vicky Patel and Lylas’ Sophie Høegh serving as executive producers. AGC and CAA Media Finance are co-repping worldwide rights.

Rae created and starred in the hit HBO series “Insecure,” which garnered multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, as well as a Peabody Award.

Rae has also appeared in “American Fiction,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and “Barbie.”

Stevens first gained international attention as Matthew Crawley in Julian Fellowes’ “Downton Abbey” and later starred in Noah Hawley’s “Legion,” “Gaslit” (Hulu), and “Zero Day,” opposite Robert De Niro.

Recent film credits include “Tilman Singer’s Cuckoo,” “Abigail” (Universal), “Eurovision” (Netflix), and “I’m Your Man.” Stevens recently wrapped “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova,” slated for a 2027 release.

Cherry is an Emmy-nominated actor and series regular on the acclaimed Apple TV+ drama “Severance.” He co-hosted three seasons of “The Great American Baking Show” on Roku and starred in Fox’s animated comedy “Duncanville” and Amazon Prime’s “Fallout.” His television credits include “Succession” (HBO), “Living With Yourself” (Netflix), “You” (Netflix), and “I Feel Bad” (NBC).

On film, Cherry appears in Nicole Holofcener’s “You Hurt My Feelings” alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus, as well as “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and Steven Soderbergh’s “Unsane.”

Berlant is an Emmy-nominated comedian, actress and writer. Her hit one-woman show “KATE” sold out in New York and L.A., and her special “Cinnamon in the Wind” garnered stellar reviews (both directed by Bo Burnham). She co-created and starred in A24/Peacock’s “Would It Kill You to Laugh?” with John Early. Other TV credits include “A League of Their Own,” “Nobody Wants This,” “All’s Fair” and a notable cameo in “The Bear.” Film credits include “Don’t Worry Darling,” “Dream Scenario,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Sorry to Bother You” and upcoming “Maddie’s Secret” and “The Moment.”