Netflix commissions first original comedy

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are to star in Grace and Frankie, Netflix’s first originally-conceived comedy original.

The pair will play long-term rivals brought together when their respective husbands announce they are in love with one another and plan to marry.

Netflix has commissioned Skydance Productions (Manhattan, World War Z) to produce the single-cam 13x30mins series, which is written and created by Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris.

Kaufman, Morris, Paula Weinstein, Fonda, Tomlin and Skydance’s DavidEllison, Dana Goldberg and Marcy Ross will executive produce.

Fonda and Tomlin starred alongside Dolly Parton in the 1980 movie Nine to Five.

“Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are among the funniest and most formidable actresses ever and it’s an incredible privilege to give them theopportunity to run riot on Netflix,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer. “The show created for them by Marta and Howard is warm, very funny and anything but wholesome.”

“Netflix is redefining the way we produce and consume television and it’s a true privilege to be in business with Ted and his amazing team,” said Skydance’s Ellison. For video streaming service Netflix, Grace and Frankie represents the first time it has ordered an originally-conceived comedy. However, it did bring back seminal mockumentary series Arrested Development last year.

Netflix now commissions dramas, documentaries, kids’ shows and comedies.