Amazon will look to build on its lineup of original scripted series by releasing five new show pilots on March 17, the network said Thursday.
The pilots, which Amazon customers can review and vote on to determine which become full-fledged series, include three half-hour comedy series and two hour-long drama shows, according to the company. The comedy series include The Legend of Master Legend, from Noah Harpster and Micah Fitzerman-Blue (Transparent) that follows a homemade superhero in Las Vegas juggling the demands of his duty and his family; Budding Prospects, from Terry Zwigoff (Bad Santa), is an 1980s marijuana-themed comedy based on the T.C. Boyle novel of the same name; and adult animated comedy The New V.I.P.’s, from Steve Dildarian (The Life & Times of Tim), which follows a group of low level employees that seize control of a major corporation after accidentally murdering their boss.
On the scripted drama front, Amazon will roll out The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, from creator Amy Sherman-Palladino(Gilmore Girls) and starring Tony Shalhoub (Monk), explores the life of a 1958 New York City woman who goes from uptown housewife to stand-up comic in Greenwich Village; and Oasis, from Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies), that follows a chaplain who is sent into space to help establish a colony on a distant planet. Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense, Alpha House) and Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire, 24) will star in the pilot, said Amazon.
“Pilots continue to be the best way to take risks, find voices and evolve the art form of television,” Joe Lewis, Amazon Studios’ Head of Comedy, Drama & VR said in a statement. “We’re excited about these new worlds, characters and filmmakers. We’re looking forward to another Amazon Pilot Season and more great customer feedback.”
