Leanne Morgan is set to star in a multi-cam comedy series at Netflix that boasts Chuck Lorre as one of its co-creators, Variety has learned.
Morgan co-created the series with Lorre and Susan McMartin. Netflix has given the untitled show a 16-episode order, while also commissioning two more stand up specials from Morgan. That will mark her second and third specials at the streamer following 2023’s “I’m Every Woman.”
“I’ve dreamed of this since childhood, and I can’t believe it has come true! When I started comedy 25 years ago, my goal was to be a part of a sitcom,” Morgan said. “It just goes to show you it’s never too late, and dreams do come true. I’m a grandmama from Tennessee, and now I have a TV show with Chuck Lorre and Netflix. What in the world!?”
The official logline for the series states, “Leanne’s life takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and jello salad.”
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“If you’ve seen even ten seconds of Leanne Morgan’s stand up then you know what a unique comedic force she is,” Lorre said. “The theme of starting over is universal, and I cannot think of anyone better to combine heart and comedy than Leanne. I knew I had to work with her, and I’m so excited to bring this story to Netflix.”
Morgan, Lorre, and McMartin all serve as executive producers on the series along with Judi Marmel. Chuck Lorre Productions produces in association with Warner Bros. Television, where Lorre is under an overall deal.
“We’re so thrilled to deepen our partnership with Leanne Morgan, whose singular and hilarious voice hooked viewers with her debut Netflix special last year, and to reunite with the legendary Chuck Lorre,” said Tracey Pakosta, Netflix’s head of comedy. “We’re looking forward to their collaboration on Netflix’s next big comedy series.”
Morgan was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch in 2023. In addition to her flourishing stand up career, she is also set to appear in the upcoming Amazon comedy film “You’re Cordially Invited” alongside Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell.
She is repped by Levity, UTA, and Gregg Gellman & Cary Dobkin.
This will mark Lorre’s second multi-cam at Netflix and third series with the streamer overall. He previously co-created the multi-cam comedy “Disjointed” with David Javerbaum, which starred Kathy Bates as the owner of a Los Angeles marijuana dispensary. Lorre also created the Golden Globe-winning single-camera series “The Kominsky Method” starring Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. This is also the second multi-cam order for Lorre in recent months, as CBS has ordered a “Young Sheldon” spinoff centered on Georgie and Mandy for the 2024-2025 broadcast season.
Lorre is one of the most successful producers in TV history. In the past 20 years he has co-created and executive produced shows including long-running hits like “The Big Bang Theory,” “Two and Half Men,” “Mom,” and “Young Sheldon.”
Netflix has now ordered two broadcast television style shows since the beginning of the year. In February, they commissioned the drama “Pulse” set in a Miami hospital, which will be Netflix’s first attempt at a medical procedural.