WeCrashed

{{Short description|2024 America wrote drama television miniseries}}

{{Infobox television

| image =

| creator = {{nowrap|Drew Crevello |Lee Eisenberg}}

| based_on = {{Based on|WeCrashed|Wondery}}

| screenplay =

| story =

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| narrated =

| music = Christopher Nicholas Bangs

| opentheme = "Happy Man" by Jungle

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_episodes = 8

| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|

Lee Eisenberg
Drew Crevello
Anne Hathaway
Jared Leto
Emma Ludbrook
John Requa
Glenn Ficarra
Charlie Gogolak
Natalie Sandy
Hernan Lopez
Marshall Lewy
Aaron Hart

}}

| producer =

| editor = {{Plainlist|

Justin Krohn
Debra Beth Weinfeld
Tamara Meem
Chris Guiral

}}

| cinematography = {{Plainlist|

Xavier Grobet
Corey Walter

}}

| runtime = 50–61 minutes

| company = {{Plainlist|

Zaftig Films
Wondery
Somewhere Pictures
Paradox
Piece of Work Productions
Vorpal Rabbit

}}

| budget =

| network = Apple TV+

| first_aired = {{Start date|2022|3|18}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2022|4|22}}

}}

WeCrashed is an American drama miniseries that premiered on Apple TV+ on March 18, 2022. Based on the podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork by Wondery, it stars Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway as Adam and Rebekah Neumann, the married couple at the heart of WeWork, a coworking space company which claimed a valuation of $47 billion (in an internally produced prospectus) in 2019, before crashing as a result of financial revelations.

Cast and characters

=Main=

Jared Leto as Adam Neumann, co-founder of WeWork
Anne Hathaway as Rebekah Neumann, former chief brand and impact officer of WeWork and founder of WeGrow
Kyle Marvin as Miguel McKelvey, co-founder of WeWork

=Recurring=

Kelly AuCoin as Scott Galloway
Steven Boyer as Matthew
Cricket Brown as Chloe Morgan
Andrew Burnap as Phil
Anthony Edwards as Bruce Dunlevie
O. T. Fagbenle as Cameron Lautner
America Ferrera as Elishia Kennedy{{cite magazine |last1=Walsh |first1=Savannah |title=America Ferrera Channeled 'Dynasty' for Her Shocking 'WeCrashed' Exit |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/04/america-ferrera-channeled-dynasty-for-her-shocking-wecrashed-exit |access-date=18 April 2022 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=1 April 2022 |quote=Unlike Adam and Rebekah, Elishia is a fictional character in the Apple TV+ series.}}
Asmeret Ghebremichael as Renee
Peter Jacobson as Bob Paltrow{{cite news |last1=Kranc |first1=Lauren |title=Rebekah Paltrow Neumann Has Not Given Up on Her WeWork School Dreams |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a39475314/rebekah-paltrow-neumann-wework-where-is-she-now/ |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=Esquire |date=24 March 2022}}{{cite magazine |last1=Walsh |first1=Savannah |title=WeCrashed: Inside Rebekah Neumann and Gwyneth Paltrow's Relationship |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/03/wecrashed-inside-rebekah-neumann-gwyneth-paltrow-relationship |access-date=18 April 2022 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=18 March 2022}}
Kim Eui-sung as Masayoshi Son
Campbell Scott as Jamie Dimon
Theo Stockman as Jacob

Development

WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork, a six-part podcast, is the basis for the series.{{cite web |title=WeCrashed |url=https://art19.com/shows/wecrashed |website=ART19 |access-date=17 April 2022}} [https://rss.art19.com/wecrashed RSS] WeCrashed: The Director’s Cut podcast is a remake of the podcast, with David Brown by Wondery.{{cite web |title=WeCrashed |url=https://wondery.com/shows/we-crashed/ |website=Wondery |access-date=17 April 2022}}

Production

After Lee Eisenberg signed a multi-year overall deal with Apple, it was reported that a drama series based on the story of WeWork was in development in February 2020.{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=January 14, 2020|title='Little America' Co-Creator Lee Eisenberg Sets Apple Overall Deal|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/little-america-lee-eisenberg-apple-overall-deal-1203466754/|access-date=March 22, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=February 27, 2020|title=WeWork Series in the Works at Apple From Lee Eisenberg, Drew Crevello|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wework-series-apple-1203518139/|access-date=February 22, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}} It was announced in December 2020 that Apple TV+ had put the series into development, with Jared Leto in negotiations to star. Damien Chazelle was initially supposed to direct and produce, but was sidetracked by his film Babylon and dropped out.{{Cite web |title='We Crashed': Jared Leto On Initially Being "Seduced" By Damien Chazelle, His "Perfect Partner" Anne Hathaway & More [Interview] |url=https://theplaylist.net/we-crashed-jared-leto-talks-affording-empathy-to-a-tech-grifter-his-acting-partner-anne-hathaway-interview-20220614/ |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=theplaylist.net|date=June 14, 2022 }} He was replaced by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra. Lee Eisenberg and Drew Crevello were set to create and write the series.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=December 16, 2020 |title=Jared Leto Circling Apple Series 'WeCrashed' Based On Podcast About WeWork Downfall; Glenn Ficarra And John Requa On Board To Direct |url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/jared-leto-apple-series-wecrashed-1234620606/ |access-date=January 29, 2021 |publisher=Deadline Hollywood}} The series was given an eight-episode series order the next month, with Leto confirmed to star alongside Anne Hathaway; both will serve as executive producers.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=January 29, 2021 |title=Apple TV+ Orders Limited Series 'WeCrashed' Starring Jared Leto And Anne Hathaway |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/apple-tv-limited-series-wecrashed-jared-leto-and-anne-hathaway-1234683101/ |access-date=January 29, 2021 |publisher=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=January 29, 2021|title=Anne Hathaway Joins Jared Leto in Apple WeWork TV Series|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/anne-hathaway-joins-jared-leto-in-apple-wework-tv-series|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 29, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}} In April 2021, Kyle Marvin was cast in a lead role, portraying Miguel McKelvey, another co-founder of WeWork.{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=April 26, 2021|title=Kyle Marvin Joins Anne Hathaway, Jared Leto in Apple WeWork Series 'WeCrashed' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/anne-hathaway-jared-leto-wework-series-apple-kyle-marvin-1234960925/|access-date=April 26, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}} In July 2021, America Ferrera was added to the cast.{{Cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|date=July 21, 2021|title=America Ferrera Joins Cast Of AppleTV+ Limited Series 'WeCrashed'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/america-ferrera-joins-cast-appletv-plus-limited-series-wecrashed-1234797423/|access-date=July 21, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US}} In August 2021, O. T. Fagbenle was added to the cast in recurring capacity.{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=August 16, 2021|title='WeCrashed': O-T Fagbenle Joins Apple TV+ Limited Series As Recurring|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/wecrashed-ot-fagbenle-apple-tv-plus-limited-series-recurring-jared-leto-anne-hathaway-1234816050/|access-date=August 16, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US}} In December 2021, Theo Stockman was added to the cast in recurring role,{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Aidan |title=WeCrashed: First Image Features Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway in WeWork Apple TV+ Drama |url=https://collider.com/wework-tv-show-jared-leto-anne-hathaway-image-apple-tv-plus/ |website=Collider |access-date=3 February 2022 |date=December 16, 2021}} with Anthony Edwards noted as being cast in February 2022.{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Tales Of The Walking Dead: Anthony Edwards, Parker Posey, Terry Crews, Poppy Liu, Jillian Bell To Star In TWD Spinoff |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/tales-of-the-walking-dead-anthony-edwards-parker-posey-terry-crews-poppy-liu-jillian-bell-twd-spinoff-1234924971/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=4 February 2022 |date=February 2, 2022}}

Episodes

{{Episode table |background=#101A27 |overall= |title= |titleR={{cite web|url=https://tv.apple.com/us/show/wecrashed/umc.cmc.6qw605uv2rwbzutk2p2fsgvq9|title=Apple TV+ – WeCrashed|website=Apple Inc.|date=March 17, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022}}|director= |writer= |writerR={{Cite web |url=https://directories.wga.org/project/1215456/wecrashed/ |title=WeCrashed |website=Writers Guild of America West |access-date=February 8, 2022}} |airdate= |airdateR={{cite web |title=Shows A-Z – WeCrashed on Apple+ |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/wecrashed/listings/ |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=April 14, 2022}} |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = This Is Where It Begins

|DirectedBy = John Requa & Glenn Ficarra

|WrittenBy = Drew Crevello & Lee Eisenberg

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|3|18}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 101A27

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Masha Masha Masha

|DirectedBy = John Requa & Glenn Ficarra

|WrittenBy = Eleanor Burgess

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|3|18}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 101A27

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Summer Camp

|DirectedBy = John Requa & Glenn Ficarra

|WrittenBy = Eva Anderson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|3|18}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 101A27

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = 4.4

|DirectedBy = Cory Finley

|WrittenBy = Zenzele Price

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|3|25}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 101A27

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = Hustle Harder

|DirectedBy = Cory Finley

|WrittenBy = Elissa Karasik

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|4|1}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 101A27

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = Fortitude

|DirectedBy = Tinge Krishnan

|WrittenBy = Mark Stasenko

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|4|8}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 101A27

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = The Power of We

|DirectedBy = Tinge Krishnan

|WrittenBy = Eva Anderson & Eleanor Burgess

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|4|15}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 101A27

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = The One with All the Money

|DirectedBy = Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini

|WrittenBy = Elissa Karasik & Zenzele Price & Mark Stasenko

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|4|22}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 101A27

}}

Release

A portion of the series previewed at South by Southwest on March 12, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/films/2053782|title=WeCrashed|work=SXSW|access-date=February 22, 2022}}

The series premiered on Apple TV+ on March 18, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/wecrashed-the-rise-and-fall-of-wework-apple-tv-teaser-trailer/|title='WeCrashed: The Rise And Fall Of WeWork;' Apple TV+ Drops Teaser Trailer For Limited Series Starring Jared Leto And Anne Hathaway|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Valerie|last=Complex|date=January 19, 2022|access-date=January 19, 2022}}

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 70% approval rating based on 20 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "The pacing can be frustrating, but WeCrashed still works thanks to its compelling central relationship and Anne Hathaway's knockout performance."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=wecrashed|title=WeCrashed|type=tv|season=1|access-date=March 17, 2022}}{{cbignore}} On Metacritic, the series has a score of 64 out of 100, based on 10 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{Cite Metacritic|id=wecrashed|title=WeCrashed|type=tv|season=1|access-date=March 15, 2022}}{{cbignore}}

Naomi Fry in The New Yorker called the show "genuinely funny", but complained that the business scenes, which become more frequent toward the end of the show, lack dramatic stakes. She did praise Leto's performance, saying "I don’t think I've ever seen a better impression of an Israeli's accent and mannerisms done by a non-Israeli".{{cite magazine |title=The Comforts of "WeCrashed" and the Modern Grifter Series |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/04/04/the-comforts-of-wecrashed-and-the-modern-grifter-series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401001457/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/04/04/the-comforts-of-wecrashed-and-the-modern-grifter-series|archive-date= 1 April 2022 |first=Naomi |last=Fry |date=March 28, 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker}} A number of reviewers criticized the series for not exploring the deeper issues raised by the WeWork story, such as "how thin the line in Silicon Valley can be between visionary and fraudster",{{cite news |title=Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway's 'WeCrashed,' about WeWork's fall, is as essential as a WeWork in a pandemic |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/tv/2022/03/18/wecrashed-jared-leto-anne-hathaway-review/ |date=March 18, 2022 |first=Inkoo |last=Kang |newspaper=The Washington Post}} or how Neumann's success came in part because he managed "to tap into a specifically millennial sense of longing for meaning and community".{{cite web |title=WeCrashed review: WeWork drama feels too much like hard work |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/wecrashed-review-wework-drama-apple-tv-jared-leto-anne-hathaway-b987594.html |date=March 12, 2022 |first=Jessie |last=Thompson |work=Evening Standard}}

Historical accuracy

WeCrashed contains a mix of real and fictional characters and events, although the fictional elements tend to have a basis in reality. For example, the character Elishia Kennedy is fictional but largely based on SoulCycle co-founder Julie Rice.{{cite web |title=How The 'WeCrashed' Cast Looks Compared To The Real People They're Playing |url=https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wecrashed-real-people-vs-actors |date=March 25, 2022 |first=Diandra |last=Malivindi |work=Marie Claire}} The episode "Summer Camp" involves Rebekah Neumann making an onstage comment at a 2014 "Summer Camp" event that antagonizes many of the female employees, leading to a session in which they vent their frustrations at her. In reality, she did make the comment, but at a 2018 Summer Camp, and there was no corresponding discussion session afterwards, although many of the sentiments expressed had been stated publicly or privately by female employees at various times.{{cite web |title=What the New WeWork Show Gets Right and Wrong |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-03-18/wecrashed-what-the-new-jared-leto-wework-show-gets-right-and-wrong |date=March 18, 2022 |first=Ellen |last=Huet |work=Bloomberg News}}

Bloomberg News reporter Ellen Huet felt the show was inaccurate in portraying WeWork co-founder Miguel McKelvey as "a clueless punchline", when in reality "many former employees saw him as a key architect of the company culture".