International Actress at Film Festival with “Sunny’s Closet” — Before Taking It To Rome
Proof-of-concept pilot screens September 13 at TCL Chinese 6. As Maleeva and Writer/Director Carlyle King prepare to shoot new “Sunny in Rome” episodes in Italy this fall
Los Angeles, September 4, 2026. International actress and entertainer Irina Maleeva is introducing audiences to the next chapter of her extraordinary career with “Sunny’s Closet.” A funny and touching proof-of-concept pilot for a new television series that will screen Sunday, September 13 at 12:00 p.m.. As part of the Indiewood Film Festival at the TCL Chinese 6 in Hollywood.
And Sunny is just getting started.
This fall, Maleeva and Carlyle King will head to Italy to shoot new episodes, entitled “Sunny in Rome.” Expanding the concept internationally and continuing the adventures of its unconventional heroine.
Maleeva stars as Solange in “Sunny” Green. A reclusive Hollywood celebrity whose carefully insulated world changes. When she unexpectedly meets and rescues Lio (Jesse Leigh), a non-binary young person. An unlikely friendship develops between the two, and through Lio. Sunny begins to rediscover her joy of living as they reach out to help the underprivileged. The young people on the streets of Los Angeles.
The dramedy also stars Louie Ski Carr and Mitch Hara. It features an original song written by acclaimed songwriters Michele Brourman and Amanda McBroom. The upcoming “Sunny in Rome” episodes will continue the musical element of the series. It will come with new original songs by Brourman and McBroom.
About Irina Maleeva
Irina Maleeva is the daughter of a celebrated Bulgarian stage actress and an aristocratic Italian statesman. She began performing as a child in her native Bulgaria. Before, embarking on a remarkable international career spanning film, television, theater, cabaret and music.
At 15, Maleeva was discovered by legendary filmmaker Federico Fellini. Launching a European film career that would ultimately put her in the orbit of some of cinema’s greatest directors. She appeared in Fellini-associated productions Satyricon. including Spirits of the Dead and Roma. Irina was later cast by Orson Welles as Jessica, the daughter of Welles’ Shylock, in The Merchant of Venice.
Maleeva also worked with legendary Italian filmmakers Luchino Visconti and Roberto Rossellini and has played more than 30 leading roles in European and American films. In the cult crime film Union City, Maleeva appeared alongside Debbie Harry and Pat Benatar, earning recognition for her portrayal of an eccentric countess.
Her extensive American television credits include appearances on Heroes, Aquarius, The Night Shift, For All Mankind, Six Feet Under, The Bold and the Beautiful, Paul T. Goldman and Days of Our Lives.
Maleeva has also created and starred in a series of acclaimed one-woman musical productions, including Illusions, directed by Randy Johnson (A Night with Janis Joplin), Irina A-Broad, Passion, Pain and Occasional Vodka Tonic and Mata Hari’s Last Dance. She also released the recording Illusions.
About Carlyle King
Carlyle King is an award-winning actress, writer, director and producer whose career in theater spans more than four decades. She holds an MFA from USC and studied with acclaimed acting teachers Uta Hagen, Kim Stanley and Milton Katselas.
King served as co-artistic director of Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills, where she co-created the theater’s successful One Act Festival, which led to New York productions, an HBO program and published works. Her screen directing credits include Smothered for Amazon Prime, and she recently directed the Los Angeles world premiere of Bisexual Sadness.
King and Maleeva’s creative collaboration dates back to 2018, when King directed Maleeva in the musical Gypsy in My Soul at the WACO Theater Center in Los Angeles.
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