DirecTV is expanding its original scripted fare into comedy.
The entertainment network has picked up 10 episodes of original comedy Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Based on Tony-winner Peter Ackerman's (The Americans, Ice Age) critically acclaimed play of the same name, Midnight explores a variety of modern-day relationships through the conceit that nothing good happens after midnight. The series is set in L.A. and takes viewers on a 12-hour collision course that begins at dusk and explodes at dawn.
Production on the series will begin in L.A. in May. Midnight will air on DirecTV's Audience Network later this year and be exec produced by Ackerman and Nick Hamm (Full Circle, Rogue) for Momentum TV.
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"As DirecTV continues to bolster the slate of original programming on Audience Network, we are thrilled to present Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight as our first foray into comedy,” DirecTV senior vp original content and production Chris Long. "We have always placed a high premium on working with talented, prolific writers like Peter Ackerman, who challenge us to raise the bar creatively."
Ackerman's Broadway adaptation of The Pajama Game won the Tony for best musical revival. He co-wrote the screenplays for animated feature Ice Age and its third film, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs as well as voicing a couple characters in the franchise.
"Television these days feels like the Wild West, with new players arriving all the time to stake their claim and create their own programming in fresh, new ways," Ackerman said. "Momentum TV and DirecTV are at the forefront of this landscape and I couldn't be more proud to participate."
Added Hamm: "We are really proud that our creative partnership with DirecTV allows us to push boundaries and produce truly original content. Peter Ackerman has a unique comedic vision and on Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight he's created a fabulous world of distinct characters and hilarious situations."
Casting has yet to be announced and it's unclear if anyone from the play will return for the series.
For DirecTV, the series will join a roster of original scripted fare that also includes Rogue, which has been renewed for a second season; Full Circle and the upcoming Navy St.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
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