Fans of Amy Poehler and Tracy Oliver can look forward to an upcoming project between the comedy writers and the streaming giant, Amazon. This week, Amazon delivered a 10-episode order for straight-to-series comedy that will be produced by Poehler and written by Oliver. Although the show is currently nameless, according to The Hollywood Reporter it previously went by the name Harlem. The untitled project will follow four black NYU alumnae who remain close as they navigate a post-college world of relationships and sex, all while fighting to fulfill their career ambitions and dreams.
Oliver will support the project in a number of ways. Not only will she write the comedy, but she will also be credited as an executive producer and the show’s creator. Meanwhile, Poehler will executive produce the series through Paper Kite Productions, film and television production company that she founded in 2002. Dave Becky from 3 Arts and Kim Lessing, Paper Kite’s head of development, will also step in as executive producers.
The untitled project will mark a first for Paper Kite, as the production company has never produced a show for Amazon. Paper Kite’s former credits include Netflix’s Russian Doll, Fox’s Duncanville, NBC’s Making It, Adult Swim’s Three Busy Debras, Comedy Central’s Broad City, Hulu’s Difficult People, and Netflix’s Wine Country. Wine Country also happened to be Poehler’s directorial debut.
Not only will the 10-episode series be a first for Paper Kite, it will also mark a noteworthy reunion between Poehler and Amazon Studios heads Jennifer Salke and Vernon Sanders, as the three worked together on Parks and Recreation.
Oliver has readily expressed her passion for the project. “This series is a dream project for me,” she said. “I found the perfect partners in Amy Poehler, Amazon Studios, and Universal, who have championed this project from the beginning. I can’t wait to get started and share the story of these four women navigating the complexities of adulthood through their unbreakable friendship.”
The upcoming Amazon comedy will be Oliver’s second series order, following BET’s reboot of First Wives Club which stars Michelle Buteau, Jill Scoot and Ryan Michelle Bath.
The Amazon co-head of TV, Sanders, spoke next on his admiration of Oliver. “We are huge fans of Tracy and have long admired her work,” he said. “She’s an incredibly talented writer and producer, and we’re thrilled to work with her on a project that reflects the kind of inclusive, joyful creative content we want to be involved with at Amazon Studios, and that our Amazon Prime Video customers want to see. We’re also so excited to be in business with Amy and Paper Kite. Jen Salke and I have known Amy for many years, and we’re so pleased to have the opportunity to work with her again.”
Oliver’s upcoming comedy will be in good company at Amazon. The streamer has already hosted a number of wildly successful scripted projects, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, Carnival Row, The Expanse, Fleabag, Goliath, Hanna, The Hunt, Invincible, Jack Ryan and Lord of the Rings to name only a few.