MTV’s scripted comedy lineup is growing. Three pilots greenlighted by the network in September have been given a series order, according to Deadline. One of the series is set to star comedian Nicole Byer, who appears on another MTV series, Girl Code, and all three will feature female protagonists.
The series, though very different from each other, seem well-positioned to appeal to MTV’s audience of teens and young adults. In the untitled project starring Byer, she’ll play a 20-something who has to move in with her sister and her four kids after a fire forces her out of her New York City apartment. She’ll have to adjust to life in the suburbs, and as Aunt Nicole, as she figures out how to get a handle on her life again. In addition to starring in the series, Byer will be a consulting producer, alongside executive producers Christian Lander and Avi Gilbert. The single-camera comedy will be produced by Arts Entertainment.
Also untitled is a project from Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont, a writing team that will also executive produce the series with Entertainment 360. The comedy will follow Paige and Jordan, two girls living in Los Angeles who make their money selling weed. They’re not just any dealers, though. The duo will operate a drug delivery app that catches the attention of foodies, celebrities, and hipsters.
The third series, Little Darlings, is a dark comedy focusing on friends Jules and Ophelia, who seem like complete opposites. Ophelia is described as an “everyday stoner-hacker-hellion,” while Jules portrays herself as “the perfect dream girl.” Meanwhile, there’s a masked vigilante running around campus, who Ophelia suspects might be Jules. The series comes from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, a 20-something herself, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-executive producer, alongside Stacy Sher and Amanda Lasher.
On top of the three upcoming series, Variety reports that MTV is also developing a political-themed dramedy called The Campaigners. The story would center on undergrads using social media to support a fictional candidate. Clearly, MTV is focusing on a wide range of topics, even as it caters to its target demographic.
With recent hits like Awkward and Faking It, Deadline points out that the network has found a successful formula with female-centric comedy series that it is seeking to repeat. It’s thus no coincidence that the network’s upcoming additions star young women, as well as what MTV President Sean Atkins calls “a unique and provocative point of view.”
