NBC Gives Series Order to Ellie Kemper Comedy from Tina Fey

NBC has given a 13-episode straight to series order for a comedy starring “The Office” alum Ellie Kemper, produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock.

Series is produced by Universal TV through Tina Fey’s overall deal with the studio. The single-camera comedy about a woman who escapes from a doomsday cult and starts life over in Gotham is targeted to bow next fall, NBC said.

Kemper (pictured left) has been highly sought after for comedy development prospects since “The Office” wrapped its nine-season run on the Peacock this past spring. Fey (pictured right) and Carlock worked shoulder to shoulder as exec producers on “30 Rock,” which ended in January after seven years.

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Fey and Carlock will exec produce the untitled Kemper vehicle and serve as showrunners on the series, which will lense in New York. That’s a major commitment for the pair who have no shortage of other opportunities, particularly Fey. David Miner also exec produces.

“Tina and Robert, who cemented their partnership on ’30 Rock,’ have created a new signature comedy for us that is audacious, emotional, and clever,” said NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt. “While tapping into very relatable themes, there isn’t anything like this anywhere else on television. NBC has been their home for many years and we’re so happy that they’ve found another way to push the comedy envelope for us.”

Straight to series orders for comedies are still rare, though NBC set a high benchmark last year with its 22-episode throwdown for “The Michael J. Fox Show.”

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