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NBC Acquires U.S. Rights To Comedy Series From Poehler Siblings

by ScreenCraft Staff on October 8, 2013

Amy Poehler and her younger brother, Greg Poehler, have signed a deal with NBC, who has acquired U.S. rights for the half-hour comedy series, "Welcome to Sweden."

The Poehler siblings are serving as executive producers for the show. Greg will star as Bruce, a New York accountant who falls in love with a girl from Sweden, Emma. He ends up following her all the way back to Sweden. There will be cameo appearances in the show by Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Aubrey Plaza and Gene Simmons.

The deal expands the relationship between NBC and Amy Poehler, as the network currently carries "Parks and Recreation," the comedy series starring Poehler as Leslie Knope.

The show is a co-production among eOne, TV4, FLX and Syskon. It was originally commissioned by Sweden's TV-4 as its first English-language series. Syskon, which means "sibling" in Sweden, is the Poehler siblings' production company that they created in May to sign the deal with TV4.

In an article published earlier today, The Hollywood Reporter quoted Carrie Stein, executive vice president of global production at eOne Television: "This show is a 'first' on so many levels," Stein said. "It's the first English-language comedy for TV4; the first television show Greg Poehler has ever created and starred in and executive produced with his sister Amy; and it's the first time NBC has been involved with a comedy shot in Stockholm with a large Swedish cast! The reason this comedy has attracted all these people is because its theme is universal: Love conquers all…even if it means moving to Sweden.”

Before getting into scripted comedy series, Greg Poehler worked as a lawyer. His series "Welcome to Sweden" is based on his own life, making the quirky comedy all the more charming.

 “Greg Poehler is a talent on the rise, both as an actor and writer and he has created a series rife with humor as his lead character, Bruce, tries to navigate a different culture, a foreign language, his girlfriend’s quirky family and a life-changing romance," said Stein in an earlier article published by The Hollywood Reporter.

Are you interested in the process of what your script needs to move forward? Check out Cameron Cubbison's ScreenCraft post: How The Development Process Works.

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