News / TV

Showtime orders “Work In Progress” comedy series

Showtime has ordered an eight-episode season of the new half-hour comedy series WORK IN PROGRESS, created by Abby McEnany and Tim Mason. McEnany stars in the series, expected to premiere later this year.

Lilly Wachowski (The Matrix, Sense8) will co-write the first season and executive produce with McEnany and Mason. The series also will feature Saturday Night Live alum Julia Sweeney playing a version of herself.

Work in Progress debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it was an official selection of the Indie Episodic program.

In the series, McEnany plays a 45-year-old self-identified fat, queer dyke from Chicago whose misfortune and despair unexpectedly lead her to a vibrantly transformative relationship. Chicago-based performers Theo Germaine and Karin Anglin co-star alongside Celeste Pechous, and Sweeney as herself.

“We adored the pilot of Work In Progress at Sundance and were so thrilled that Abby and Tim and Lilly wanted to work with us to expand it into a Showtime comedy series,” said Gary Levine. “Abby is as distinctive as she is appealing. She will make you laugh, she might make you cry, but she will definitely make you fall in love with her!”

McEnany is a mainstay of the Chicago improv scene, where her one-woman shows became the foundation for the series.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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