Showbiz

Aubrey Plaza returns to big screen in dark comedy for first role since her husband’s devastating suicide

Aubrey Plaza returns to big screen in dark comedy for first role since her husband’s devastating suicide

Aubrey Plaza is appearing in her first role since husband Jeff Baena’s death in January.

The 40-year-old actress will star alongside Margaret Qualley in Honey Don’t!, whose trailer was released by Focus Features on Wednesday.

Screenwriters Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke penned the dark comedy, which follows local detective Honey O’Donahue (Qualley) as she investigates a string of deaths tied to a questionable church.

Plaza commands attention as a police officer working with O’Donahue within the first seconds of the teaser.

Chris Evans also emerges, starring as the unscrupulous religious figure at the heart of the film’s investigation. 

The movie is slated for an August 22 release. 

Aubrey Plaza is appearing in her first role since husband Jeff Baena's death in January

Aubrey Plaza is appearing in her first role since husband Jeff Baena’s death in January

In the dark comedy Honey Don't! Plaza commands attention as a police officer working with main character Honey O'Donahue

In the dark comedy Honey Don’t! Plaza commands attention as a police officer working with main character Honey O’Donahue

Aubrey’s husband Jeff was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in his Los Angeles home earlier this year, after taking his own life.

She and Baena had been separated since September 2024, an LA County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report obtained by DailyMail.com later revealed. 

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The White Lotus star was in New York when his body was discovered on January 3.

The report detailed that the Life After Beth director had been ‘experiencing marital difficulties’ in his final months, and was in therapy.

It also stated that Plaza had been concerned for her estranged husband’s wellbeing. 

Shortly after his death, a representative for Plaza said in a statement, ‘This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.’ 

In the wake of Jeff’s pᴀssing, Aubrey has deleted her Instagram account.

She did, however, put on a brave face to appear as a presenter during Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special in February.

This is the first time fans will see Aubrey back to work on the big screen, months after her husband's shock suicide

This is the first time fans will see Aubrey back to work on the big screen, months after her husband’s shock suicide

Margaret Qualley (pictured in March) plays local detective Honey O¿Donahue, who investigates a string of deaths tied to a questionable church

Margaret Qualley (pictured in March) plays local detective Honey O’Donahue, who investigates a string of deaths tied to a questionable church

Aubrey and Jeff began dating in 2011, and quietly married in 2020; pictured in 2016

Aubrey and Jeff began dating in 2011, and quietly married in 2020; pictured in 2016

As Aubrey grieves and moves forward, she is expected to star in Zach Woods’ forthcoming project The Accompanist.

It will also star child actress Everly Carganilla and Hollywood heavyweight Susan Sarandon.

ᴅᴇᴀᴅline broke the news this week, revealing that the former Parks and Recreation star will play a welfare agent sent to investigate a child’s claim that her grandfather nearly got her family killed.

Per the outlet, a synopsis reads: ‘When 9-year-old Emily (Carganilla) accidentally tells her school nurse that her dementia-stricken grandpa almost got them killed, rookie child-welfare agent Sarah is sent to their house to investigate. 

‘A botched extraction ensues and Emily is taken and placed with Sylvia (Sarandon), a new foster parent. Sylvia is mysterious, witchy, funny, and unpredictable. 

‘Her natural warmth and playfulness are complicated by the fact that she is haunted by visitations from her past.’

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