NBC has picked up a single-camera comedy pilot based at a Native American community center, Variety has learned exclusively.
The untitled, single-camera comedy hails from writers Sierra Teller Ornelas, Jackie Keliiaa, and Bobby Wilson. All three are also executive producers, with Teller Ornelas set to serve as showrunner. Morgan Sackett will also executive produce. Universal Television, where both Teller Ornelas and Sackett are under overall deals, is the studio.
The official logline for the pilot states that it is “An ensemble comedy set at a Native community center in Oakland, Calif. The employees hustle to keep the lights on while lifting up those in need.”
The pilot reunites Teller Ornelas, Wilson, and Sackett, who all previously worked together on the Peacock series “Rutherford Falls,” which also focused on Native issues through comedy. Teller Ornelas co-created that series and served as showrunner, while Sackett was an executive producer. Wilson was a writer on the series and also appeared onscreen as casino employee Wayne.
In addition to her work on “Rutherford Falls,” Teller Ornelas has worked on shows like “Loot” at Apple TV+, both “Superstore” and “St. Denis Medical” at NBC, and “Happy Endings” at ABC.
She is repped by UTA, 3Arts, and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole
Keliiaa is an accomplished stand-up comedian, writer and actor based in Oakland, Calif.. She has previously been featured on Comedy Central, Team Coco and voices the character Bubble on Netflix’s “Spirit Rangers.” She previously wrote for the web series “You’re Welcome, America,” produces “Good Medicine Comedy,” an all-Native comedy show, and was featured in the First Nations Comedy Experience streaming on Amazon.
Wilson has acted in, written for, and produced the critically-acclaimed FX series “Reservation Dogs,” which wrapped up after three seasons in 2023. He has also written for the Marvel series “Echo” and appeared in the hit FX series “What We Do in the Shadows.” He is a founding member of the Native sketch troupe The 1491s.
Wilson is repped by Independent Artist Group, Artillery Creative Collective, and Hirsch Wallerstein.
This now marks the third comedy pilot NBC has picked up this pilot season. Previously, the broadcaster ordered a pilot for a series starring Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe as well as the cheerleader comedy “Stumble.”
