Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman is developing a new multi-camera comedy series, Dinks, for Amazon MGM Studios.
Designed as an improvised sitcom, the project aims to offer a fresh take on the traditional multi-cam format. Real-life married couple June Diane Raphael (Grace & Frankie) and Paul Scheer (The League) will lead the cast, playing a couple who, instead of getting married or having children, decide to build a life together by renovating their less-than-ideal dream home.
The series was co-created by Marta Kauffman and Hannah K. S. Canter, with production handled by Okay Goodnight, Lionsgate Television and Amazon MGM Studios. Jon Gabrus has also joined the project as a series regular.
“I’ve always said I wouldn’t do another multi-cam unless someone was able to reinvent it. Okay Goodnight and I got tired of waiting, and decided we should do it ourselves,” said Friends creator.
Amazon MGM Studios says Dinks represents a new approach to television financing, bringing together Amazon MGM Studios, Lionsgate and Publicis Media Content Innovation (PMCI) in a partnership that moves beyond the traditional TV production model.
Friends creator said she had long believed she would not return to the multi-camera sitcom format unless someone reinvented it, adding that her team ultimately decided to take on that challenge themselves. PMCI, meanwhile, described the collaboration as an alternative financing model that combines expertise from the media, advertising and entertainment industries to support premium television projects.
