HBO has given out a straight-to-series order for a single-camera comedy series starring Steve Carell from Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, Variety has learned.
The untitled, half-hour series has been given a 10 episode order. The official logline states that the show is “set on a college campus, centering on an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter.”
“HBO has long been a standard bearer of quality TV,” Lawrence said. “Getting to do a show there with Steve Carell is an immediate career highlight for Matt and me. Nothing can go wrong now.”
Lawrence and Tarses wrote the first episode of the series. Both serve as executive producers, with Carell also executive producing in addition to starring. Lawrence executive produces via Doozer Productions along with Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer. Warner Bros. Television, where both Lawrence and Tarses are under overall deals, is the studio.
“We’re so excited to be collaborating with the dream team of Steve Carell, Bill Lawrence, and Matt Tarses on what is sure to be a brilliant new series,” said Channing Dungey, Warner Bros. Television Group chairman and CEO. “Collectively, they have been at the center of some of the most iconic and successful shows in television history. With thanks to our partners at HBO, we look forward to bringing them together to deliver the next great comedy.”
This is now the second TV starring role Carell has lined up in recent weeks. Prior to this, it was announced that he would star opposite Tina Fey in the upcoming Netflix comedy series “The Four Seasons.” Carell is best known for his time on the hit NBC comedy “The Office,” for which he received six consecutive Emmy nominations for best actor in a comedy series. He also won a Golden Globe for the series in 2006. Carell is an Oscar nominee as well, receiving the nod for best actor for his role in the 2014 film “Foxcatcher.” He has also starred in films like “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” “The Big Short,” and the “Despicable Me” franchise. His recent TV credits include the FX limited series “The Patient” and “The Morning Show” at Apple TV+.
“The combination of Steve Carell and Bill Lawrence promises to be full of great laughs, warmth, and charm. We’re thrilled to be the home for this long overdue collaboration,” said Amy Gravitt, executive vice president of HBO & Max comedy programming.
Lawrence is currently the showrunner of the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking,” which he also co-created with Brett Goldstein and Jason Segel. He was also the co-creator and showrunner of the hit Apple series “Ted Lasso,” which wrapped up its three season run at the streamer in 2023. He is also prepping the series “Bad Monkey” starring Vince Vaughn for Apple, with that show set to debut on Aug. 14. Lawrence is perhaps best known for creating the beloved sitcom “Scrubs,” which aired for seven seasons on NBC and two more on ABC. His other credits include “Clone High,” “Cougar Town,” and “Spin City.”
Tarses recently worked as an executive producer on “Bad Monkey” and also worked with Lawrence on “Scrubs” during the show’s first four seasons. He has also worked on shows like “Atypical,” “The Goldbergs,” and “Men at Work.”
