Amazon has come out on top in an intense bidding war for a new action comedy series, with award-winning actors Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer set to star.

Early reports describe the series as a sort of cross between Thelma and Louise and Jack Ryan. The show follows best friends Judith (Waddingham) and Debbie (Spencer). Debbie soon learns that Judith has been hiding her life as a highly trained assassin. When a hit goes horribly wrong, the pair must go on the run from a mysterious enemy who wants them dead, all while working to repair their friendship.

The as yet untitled show received an eight-episode, straight-to-series order from Prime Video. The show comes from an original idea by Tessa Coates.

“We were blown away by this one-of-a-kind comedy,” said Amazon MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke. “Tessa’s pitch delivered it all — fantastically original characters, a great story, the amazing creative talents of Octavia and Hannah and so much fun.”

The project marks the first to stem from Skydance TV’s first-look deal with Spencer’s Orit Entertainment label. Other Skydance/Prime collaborations include Reacher and Jack Ryan. 

Coates, Spencer, and Waddingham all serve as executive producers on the series.

“I was in as soon as I heard Tessa’s stunning pitch. To be able to dive into a role like Debbie is rare, and working with Hannah to bring this unique friendship to life is a dream,” said Spencer. 

“I’m not gonna lie, a few expletives fell out of my face at the prospect of working with the magnificent Ms. Spencer, Tessa Coates’ hugely energetic, exhilarating script, Skydance and Double Dream,” added Waddingham. “To then see the immediate excited response from a mighty beast like Amazon! It’s all just incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait to get our collective teeth into it!”

Spencer won an Oscar for her role in 2012’s The Help. She has also received two other Academy Award nominations for acting. Her recent TV credits include Lost Women of Highway 20, Truth Be Told, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker – all of which she also executive produces under her Orit banner.

Waddingham won an Emmy for her role on Ted Lasso, for which she is also nominated again this year. Her previous credits include Game of Thrones and Sex Education, and she will next appear in the action comedy feature The Fall Guy. Her musical Christmas special, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas, is currently streaming on Apple TV+.

No word yet on a filming schedule or potential release date for the series, but we have our eye on this one. So, check back to THS for more updates.

Source: THR

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