Netflix preps multi-country comedy

Global SVoD firm Netflix is launching a multi-country comedy event series involving nearly 50 comedians next year.

Nish Kumar
(photo: Paul Clarke)

The as-yet-untitled series will feature 47 comedians from 13 regions and countries including the US, the UK, France, Africa, Australia and the Middle East performing half-hour stand-up specials.

All episodes, which are being filmed at the forthcoming Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and other sets in Brazil, Mexico, India, Germany and the Netherlands, will be released simultaneously.

Comedians diverse in gender, ethnicity and style will be filmed in seven languages (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Dutch, German and English) to reflect the global comedy landscape. Comics slated to participate in the series include Chris D’Elia and Nicole Byer from the US, the UK’s Nish Kumar and Ellie Taylor, France’s Shirley Souagnon and South Africa’s Loyiso Gola.

Lisa Nishimura

“Few things are better than discovering a new comedian you love,” said Lisa Nishimura, VP of original documentary and comedy at Netflix. “With this event, we’re creating a true comedy festival experience for our members where they can scour the globe from home to find some of the freshest voices in comedy.”

In related news, Jason Bateman, star and exec producer of Netflix original mob series Ozark, has agreed a multi-year first-look deal with the streamer through his Aggregate production banner.

Bateman and his producer partner Michael Costigan (American Gangster) will pool their respective existing slates across television and film and will work with Netflix to develop and produce future projects.