NBC has picked up two more pilots to series ahead of this year’s Upfronts. The network has picked up to series Memphis legal drama Bluff City Law, starring Jimmy Smits, & Queens immigrant comedy Sunnyside, starring, co-written and executive produced by Kal Penn.
Co-created by Dean Georgaris and Michael Aguilar and written by Georgaris, Bluff City Law is a character-driven drama that follows the lawyers of an elite Memphis firm that specializes in the most controversial landmark civil rights cases. Led by legendary lawyer Elijah Strait (Smits) and his brilliant daughter, Sydney Keller (Caitlin McGee), they take on the toughest David-and-Goliath cases while navigating their complicated relationship. The series marks Smits’ return to NBC, having had starring roles on three previous NBC series: legal dramas L.A. Law and Outlaw as well as White House drama The West Wing.
Sunnyside stars Penn as former New York City Councilman Garrett Shah, who finds his calling when faced with six recent immigrants in need of his help and in search of the American Dream. In keeping the authenticity of the project, the producers assembled a cast of predominately immigrant actors to star opposite Penn. Executive producer Michael Schur will, along with this series, have four shows on the air. He has The Good Place and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, both already renewed for next season, as well as Q-Force, an upcoming animated series for Netflix.
The project marks a return to comedy for Penn, who co-starred on the ABC drama Designated Survivor the past two seasons. He is returning to the White House series for its upcoming third season on Netflix but has a one-year deal and is free and clear to do Sunnyside.
