Jim Carrey Is Both Heartbreaking and Hilarious in His New Showtime Series, Kidding

Showtime's newest series may invoke memories of the iconic Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood, but it's definitely not for children. Kidding stars Jim Carrey — in his first series regular role since In Living Colour over two decades ago — as Jeff Piccirillo aka "Mr. Pickles," a children's television host. Jeff has performed on Mr. Pickles' Puppet Time for 30 years, and has become the face of a multimillion-dollar branding empire. Similar to Fred Rogers, Mr. Pickles is "a beacon of kindness and wisdom to America's impressionable young minds," who uses stories and puppets to teach children humility and decency in a cruel world.

The drama series, set to premiere in the US on Sept. 9, follows Jeff as he attempts to navigate his work and deal with the imminent implosion of his family. After the death of one of his twin sons, his inability to cope with the aftermath causes friction with his estranged ex-wife Jill (Judy Greer), his son Will (Cole Allen), and his father Seb (Frank Langella), who also serves as the executive producer for Mr. Pickles' Puppet Time. The show's trailer gives only a brief taste to the turmoil rageing within Jeff as he unravels, and how his struggles affect those around him. Perhaps the most striking and haunting line of the trailer is said by Langella's Seb as he refuses to let Jeff share his grief on the show. "You are not a real person, you are a man in a box," he says. "You are a trusted brand. No one sees a man." Yikes.