It’s one thing to watch your parents become legends. It’s another to be the one trusted to tell their full story. Lucie Arnaz has stepped into the position not only as the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz but also as the woman bringing their stories to life on the screen.
While the world remembers I Love Lucy for the laughter, Lucie remembers what came before and after the cameras rolled. Now, at 73, she’s creating a TV miniseries that will walk viewers through the lives of her parents right from the early days to their final chapters. And this time, she’s not just helping behind the scenes; she’s in full control.
This is not just another Lucy and Desi story
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Lucie Arnaz announced the project at a small but meaningful event in Los Angeles, held where her parents’ old Desilu Studios once stood. The night included a screening of her 1994 Emmy-winning documentary Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie and a short film fundraiser. There, she shared how a respected producer friend approached her after seeing Aaron Sorkin’s 2021 film Being the Ricardos. Although that movie was well-made, Lucie felt it showed only a small part of a much larger story.
This new series will be different. Lucie said it can’t be rushed into one movie. She’s aiming for a full miniseries, possibly three seasons and 30 episodes, to cover the entire journey of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Unlike other projects where she had limited input, this time, she’ll be leading the way, making sure the details are true to life and true to heart.
Lucie Arnaz also hopes to write a memoir
During the event, Lucie joked that Keith Thibodeaux, who played Little Ricky, saw her mom more than she did. She also mentioned she’d like to write a memoir someday, but hopes it can stand on its own, separate from her parents’ fame.
For now, though, she’s focused on telling their story right, in full, and in her own words. The miniseries is still in development, and casting hasn’t begun yet. But as Lucie said with a smile, “Let the casting games begin!”