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Three years after uniting for a comedy at NBC, Amy Poehler and Natasha Lyonne are reteaming for a new project at Netflix.
The streaming giant has handed out an eight-episode straight-to-series order for an untitled comedy starring Lyonne and produced by Poehler and Leslye Headland.
The untitled project, referred during the development process as Russian Doll, follows a young woman named Nadia (Lyonne) on her journey as the guest of honor at a seemingly inescapable party one night in New York.
Lyonne created the series alongside Poehler and Headland (Paramount Network’s upcoming Heathers reboot and features Bachelorette and Sleeping With Other People). Headland will pen the pilot and co-write the remaining seven episodes alongside Lyonne.
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The comedy is produced by Universal Television, where Poehler’s prolific Paper Kite Productions banner is under an overall deal, as well as Jax Media and 3 Arts. Paper Kite’s Brooke Posch will also executive produce alongside 3 Arts’ Dave Becky.
The project reteams Lyonne with Netflix, where she has been part of the ensemble cast of Jenji Kohan’s prison dramedy Orange Is the New Black.
“Natasha’s humor, humanity and depth have connected with audiences around the world on Orange Is the New Black,” said Cindy Holland, vp original content at Netflix. “With this new series, she, Leslye and Amy are creating an ambitious and uniquely formatted comedy that will have viewers guessing as much as they will be laughing.”
Added Lyonne: “So excited to get cracking with the intensely brilliant Leslye Headland, the GOAT with a heart of gold Amy Poehler, and Netflix, the safe haven I’ve been searching for since the ‘80s. Deeply moved to work with such heavy hitters and to share our show with the world.”
Noted Headland: “These women are heroes of mine and to work with them at a company that promotes originality and creativity is a thrill.”
The comedy is Paper Kite’s first project with Netflix and comes as the company continues to expand its TV footprint. The shingle also has a comedy set up at HBO with Bob’s Burgers favorite John Roberts as well as Carol Burnett starrer Household Name at ABC, which is being redeveloped after narrowly missing a series pickup last pilot season, among others.
This is the second collaboration for Poehler and Lyonne, who teamed in 2014 for the NBC comedy pilot Old Soul, which starred the latter as a woman trying to find herself while working as the aide to a group of elderly people.
Lyonne and Paper Kite are repped by WME and Becky at 3 Arts; Headland is with UTA and Greg Cavic.
For Netflix, the Lyonne comedy joins a growing slate of half-hours that also includes Universal Television-produced Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Master of None.
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