The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Roku will produce a film based on the canceled NBC series, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. The series ran for two seasons before being canceled in 2021. The film will be a holiday edition of the series that is set to air later this year.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist follows Zoey Clarke, a software developer who develops the ability to hear people’s thoughts as songs. Each episode features music and dance numbers that develop the plot, similar to Ryan Murphy’s Glee. Jane Levy (Suburgatory) headlines the series as the titular role with Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect), Alex Newell (Glee), John Chance Stewart (Luke Cage), Mary Steenburgen (The Last Man on Earth), Andrew Leeds (Bones), and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) on the main cast as well.
The new film is said to be a holiday edition to the series, titled Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, and will air on The Roku Channel later this year.
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is the kind of show that doesn’t just entertain people, it speaks to them,” Roku’s Head of Original Scripted Programming Colin Davis told The Hollywood Reporter. “The show has a healing power about it, which is brought to life by the incredibly talented cast through music and dance. That connection with the audience is what makes bringing a holiday-themed film like Zoey to life with the original cast so special. We are absolutely thrilled to call Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas our first Roku Original film and make it available to both longtime fans and new ones on the Roku Channel this holiday.”
Series creator Austin Winsberg (Secret Society of Second Born Royals) will pen the script with Richard Shepard (Criminal Minds), who directed the show’s pilot, returning to take on the film. Winsberg will also executive produce the movie with Kim Tannenbaum (Two and a Half Men), Eric Tannenbaum (Two and a Half Men), Paul Feig (Freaks and Geeks), David Blackman (Date and Switch), and Daniel Inkeles (The Day the Earth Stopped).
Negotiations for Zoey to move to stream started after the series got canceled. Peacock was originally a contender until negotiations between the streamer and Lionsgate fell through, and Roku took on the deal. The deal is said to be another step in original programming for Roku after acquiring Quibi and rebranding the program as Roku Originals.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas is set to air later this year on Roku.