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Amazon-backed IMDb TV is pushing further into the scripted originals business.
Ahead of its virtual NewFronts presentation Monday, the free and ad-supported streamer has put five new scripted originals in development, including a family comedy based on the life of Shea Serrano from Mike Schur (The Good Place).
The platform has put in development Primo, a comedy from Serrano and Schur previously in the works at ABC; satire Blessed and Highly Favored; Melina Kanakaredes’ semi-autobiographical family half-hour Greek Candy; a Federal Reserve drama from All American showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll; and Indian comedy Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, PA that is inspired by the life of writer Vijal Patel and counts Sara Gilbert and Michael Showalter among its exec producers.
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IMDb TV has already dipped its toe into the pricey originals business in an effort to draw eyeballs to its free streaming platform that is populated with library content. The service is already home to Alex Rider (previously renewed for a second season), the upcoming Leverage update with Noah Wyle, and a Bosch spinoff, among others, with more on the way.
IMDb TV launched in January 2019; the platform’s content team — including programmers Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi — is housed under Amazon Studios. IMDb TV launched its first original scripted series, Alex Rider, last November. IMDb TV is available on Fire TV, within the Prime Video and IMDb apps and on Roku, Google TV, PlayStation 4 and multiple other smart devices.
Here’s a closer look at the five scripted projects put in development Monday at IMDb TV:
Blessed and Highly Favored is a satiric, yet warmhearted show following Christine Kimbrough, a prodigal daughter who returns to Dallas as a rookie pastor, and is tasked with keeping her church alive in the face of rival megachurches, money problems and the presence of her predecessor and toughest critic — her father, Robert. Writer-creators Chris Marcil and Sam Johnson (What We Do in the Shadows, Frasier) showrun and executive produce. Chris Godsick (Veep), Peri Gilpin (Frasier) 3 Arts and Industry Entertainment also serve as executive producers.
Greek Candy, from Sony Pictures Television, is a single-camera comedy series inspired by Melina Kanakaredes’ (CSI: New York) family and their 100-year-old chocolate factory in Akron, Ohio. Co-written by Kanakaredes and Marc Firek, this multigenerational family comedy about a mom and dad with three teenage daughters, and very Greek immigrant grandparents, is a celebration of vibrant Greek culture in a changing America. Kanakaredes stars and serves as executive producer for the series alongside Marc Firek, Josh Berman and Jennifer Robinson in association with Osprey.
Primo, from Shea Serrano and Michael Schur, is a compelling and highly entertaining coming of age story about a Mexican-American teenager balancing cultural norms, college aspirations, societal expectations and the hectic home life of being raised by his single mom and five uncles. The series is written and executive produced by New York Times No. 1 best-selling author Serrano who based the comedy on his upbringing. Schur (The Good Place, Parks and Recreation) and David Miner also serve as executive producers. Primo is a Fremulon and 3 Arts production in association with Universal TV, a division of Universal Studio Group.
The Fed follows both the personal and career drama surrounding a group of young hopefuls as they begin an elite fellowship with the Federal Reserve, the nation’s most powerful financial institution. These young financial geniuses are destined for greatness — provided they don’t screw it all up with secrets, lies, sex and politics. Produced by Warner Bros. Television, the drama is executive produced and written by Nkechi Okoro Carroll (All American), whom prior to her TV career worked for the Federal Reserve. Adesuwa McCalla, who has a first-look deal with Amazon Studios, will also serve as executive producer.
The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, PA, from Sony Pictures Television, follows an Indian family and the tumultuous yet humorous events of the past two years since they arrived in Pittsburgh to discover what pushed them to the brink and led to their present immigration woes. The comedy series is written by Vijal Patel, and inspired by his personal experiences, and directed by Michael Showalter. Patel and Showalter alongside Sara Gilbert, Tom Werner, Mandy Summers and Jordana Mollick serve as executive producers.
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