A widowed aging woman avoids grief by recreating her dreams of being a Rockstar emulating Joan Jett, but her past forces change amid shocking discoveries, buried truths and family dysfunctions. Will and Grace meets Mom.

SYNOPSIS:

Grief is a bitch! A retired widow masterfully avoids grief by resurrecting her Rockstar lifestyle with excessive partying and indulging in younger men. She uses co-dependency with her gay brother-in-law and rigid lesbian daughter as her crutch. Obsessive dreams emulating Joan Jett are a reborn train wreck uncovering shocking truths colliding with her painful past to force inevitable change for herself and her family.

This half-hour comedy tv series is set in 2 places, Carol’s city loft and the local pub called The Sprocket, meaning lower production costs. Being Joan starts with one year after her husband Edward’s death, Carol rebels against being a senior citizen by rebirthing a version of her college Rock & Roll band dreams. She recreates her band, “For the Love of Joan” with her brother-in-law, Marti. They perform at The Sprocket, where Carol is revered as a local legend and fearless badass with the patrons and staff. Think Cheers and Central Perk had a rock child diverse hot spot, that’s The Sprocket.

Carol numbs her painful past by drinking too much, is emotionally unavailable yet secretly wants to mend the dysfunctional relationship with her daughter, Bailey. Mother and daughter use quick-witted humor like the Gilmore Girls coffee high infused with almost famous Rockstar vibes. Carol has kept a shocking secret her entire life, she is bi and was in a secret relationship with her best friend in college (Joan, real reason for the band name), but due to family programming and pressure around societal standards she buried her true identity by marrying a man and having a family. She is her own enemy and fights herself every episode, is stubborn, experiences disastrous online dating and doesn’t fully unravel until the final season. Season 5 Carol admits she never stopped loving Joan and they reignite their college passion and form a romantic relationship.

Bailey is a proud out feminine lesbian, publishing executive, and refuses to cave to outdated family politics. She is strong-willed like her mom, comfortable with her identity, but craves close relationships and stops herself because she is afraid since her father died. She dates The Sprocket bartender Trisha for over a year, Joan is her mother, and relationship ends when Trisha doesn’t want kids and Bailey takes in Elijah. Bailey secretly misses being close to her mom, especially when she adopts Elijah. Bailey being herself pushes Carol to face her deepest secrets and fears while Carol pushes Bailey to be free and let go of control.

Uncle Marti is the glue that holds the family together because he is the obvious link to Edward and provides healing through laughter and gay humor. He has sworn off all men because he doesn’t want to have relationship struggles like Carol and Bailey, decides it’s not worth it and his brother’s death made him fear loss. He is the gay uncle everyone wants in their life and truly adds the light-hearted colorfulness to the show. Uncle Marti will have a health scare that has him retire from the band, starts an Instagram channel that garners him a tv talk show deal, asks Bailey to manage him and his success soars while their relationship deepens.

The new development of Edward having another wife, Vanessa, brings about a new baby brother, Elijah. When Vanessa suddenly dies in season 2, this dysfunctional family succumbs to changes. They must decide who takes care of Elijah and Bailey takes custody. Taking care of her baby brother is a wake-up call for Bailey, she decides to adopt as a single mom and vulnerability hits when she has to ask for help.

Being Joan was written with 5 seasons in mind to showcase ups and downs until the Rock & Roll train eventually stops. Carol, Bailey and Marti unpack all their family baggage in therapy, have tests of strength and character, step outside their comfort zones and ultimately find their individual happiness. Joan Jett hears about the band, does a duet with Carol on stage, and she finally feels seen/heard by everyone for validation and freedom from family past.

BEING JOAN