Mae Whitman, Emily Meade to lead comedy pilot ‘Whisper Sisters

Mae Whitman and Emily Meade have been cast in the lead roles for Whisper Sisters, a new single-camera comedy pilot that explores Kentucky’s bourbon and moonshine culture through the story of two estranged sisters.

Production on the pilot is scheduled to begin this summer in Louisville, Kentucky, marking the start of a project that blends family drama, comedy and historical inspiration.

The series shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked women who played a significant role in Kentucky’s Prohibition-era bootlegging trade. Inspired by these forgotten figures, the story pays tribute to a group collectively known as the “Whisper Sisters,” whose contributions were largely erased from history despite their importance to the underground moonshine industry.

Set in the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon country, Whisper Sisters combines workplace-style humor with family conflict, highlighting the challenges of preserving a long-hidden family legacy while navigating complicated personal relationships. The series draws much of its comedy from clashing personalities, differing worldviews and the unpredictable dynamics of a dysfunctional family.

Mae Whitman, best known for her work in television comedies and dramas, will portray Alexis Whisper, a woman who left Kentucky years earlier in search of a different life in Brooklyn. Having embraced a modern, city-based lifestyle, Alexis has distanced herself from both her hometown and her family’s traditions.

Emily Meade will play Erin Whisper, Alexis’ estranged sister, who remained in Kentucky and built her life there as a fiercely independent single mother. Unlike Alexis, Erin has stayed closely connected to her roots and carries the responsibility of keeping the family’s legacy alive.

The story begins when the sisters reunite following the death of their father. His funeral forces them to confront years of unresolved tension while uncovering the truth about their family’s secret underground moonshine operation.

Despite their opposing personalities and long-standing differences, Alexis and Erin must work together to protect the hidden business and the people they love, many of whom have no idea the family has been operating a secret moonshine empire for generations.

With its mix of comedy, family drama and historical inspiration, Whisper Sisters aims to deliver a fresh take on Kentucky’s rich bourbon heritage while celebrating the forgotten women whose stories helped shape an important chapter of American history. The pilot will determine whether the project moves forward as a full television series.