Netflix is working on bringing another big name into its fold. The streaming-service-turned-TV-and-film-studio is reportedly in talks with Matt Groening, creator and executive producer of The Simpsons, to create and write a new animated series, accordingly to Variety. An order of two 10-episode seasons is reportedly being considered by Netflix.
While little is known about the potential series so far, the fact that the streamer is courting an animated series heavy hitter like Groening is an interesting development. The Simpsons is currently in its 27th season and is one of the best-known sitcoms — whether animated or otherwise — of all time. Through his work on the family comedy, Groening has won 10 Primetime Emmy Awards over the years and has become something of a perennial TV awards show nominee.
Beyond The Simpsons, Groening has also found success with sci-fi sitcom Futurama. Although the show’s longevity doesn’t match that of The Simpsons, Futurama has survived (and been revived) for a lengthy run. The series originally aired on Fox from 1999 to 2003 before going out of production and remaining off-air for multiple years. Comedy Central eventually brought Futurama back before the series eventually concluded at the end of its seventh season.
Netflix hasn’t put particular emphasis on animated sitcoms in building its slate so far, but the streamer does have a number of shows in the genre. The studio’s animated series include F Is for Family, a dysfunctional family-centric comedy that premiered in December, and BoJack Horseman, a sitcom that’s caught on with viewers and has been renewed for a third season. An adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham will join the streamers’ portfolio too, with Ellen DeGeneres executive producing.
We’ll have to wait and see if anything comes out of Netflix and Groening’s talks, but a collaboration between the two would definitely be intriguing.
