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Poehler producing Nexflix series, Dratch in ‘Little’
Massachusetts natives and “Saturday Night Live” vets Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch have apparently been hard at work in Hollywood, and the world just got a sneak peek at their latest creations.
It seems that Burlington-born Poehler has been busy making a new series for Netflix, while Lexington-raised Dratch has been part of production for an upcoming Universal pic — and we’re here to fill you in on their forthcoming projects:
Netflix released its first trailer for the series “Russian Doll,” which Poehler made alongside Natasha Lyonne and Leslye Headland. Lyonne, who’s best known for her role as Nicky Nichols on “Orange Is the New Black,” doubles as the lead in the soon-to-be streaming show, which follows a woman who’s stuck on an endless loop of reliving — and re-dying — the same day.
As the new teaser shows, Lyonne’s character practically drives herself to the brink of insanity as she repeatedly tries, in vain, to prevent her imminent end. Basically, the series somewhat resembles a darkly comical reinvention of “Groundhog Day” that will span eight episodes, all available to watch online starting Feb. 1.
In addition to Lyonne, the cast includes Elizabeth Ashley, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez and Charlie Barnett, and cameos are expected to come from folks like Chloe Sevigny and Dascha Polanco. Poehler and Headland are also attached to the project as executive producers, with the latter lady and Lyonne also serving as writers as well as directors with Jamie Babbit.
Meanwhile, Universal Pictures has just given everyone a first-look at the upcoming film “Little,” which will include Dratch as a child protective services’ worker.
The flick centers on a ruthless and highly successful woman named Jordan Sanders, whose shark-like demeanor rubs pretty much everyone the wrong way. Her position of power is totally undermined when one day, after having an altercation with a teenager, she’s mysteriously transformed into a 13-year-old.
Her assistant April (played by Issa Rae) tries to keep everything together while dealing with the now-teenage boss. Regina Hall and Marsai Martin both star as the movie’s main character — just in kid and adult forms — with Dratch, Justin Hartley, Tone Bell, and JD McCrary adding to the cast. Tina Gordon directed the comedy, which is slated to hit theaters April 12, and she wrote the script alongside Tracy Oliver.