Hugh Laurie is set to star opposite Amy Poehler in the Peacock comedy series “Dig,” Variety has learned.
The series, which is based on the Kate Myers book “Excavations,” was originally announced back in May at the NBCUniversal streamer. Per the official logline, the show is “centered on four women working at an archeological dig in Greece who are at wildly different crossroads in their lives. When the team uncovers a long-buried secret with the potential to rewrite history, they find themselves at the center of a high-stakes international conspiracy.”
Laurie will appear in the series regular role of Neville, described as “a British professor who sincerely loves archaeology and strives to uphold the traditions of this dying profession. He fancies himself an inspiring mentor to everyone who works at the site.”
Laurie is best known to American audiences for his starring role in the Fox medical drama “House,” on which he played the title for eight seasons. He received six Emmy nominations for best actor in a drama for his work in the show, while he won two Golden Globes for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama. Laurie has also been nominated for Emmys for his work in the drama series “The Night Manager” and for guest starring in the HBO comedy “Veep.”
Laurie is also known for his time working with Stephen Fry, including their collaboration on the series “A Bit of Fry & Laurie” and “Jeeves and Wooster.” His recent credits include “Avenue 5” at HBO and both “The Wanted Man” and “Tehran” for Apple TV.
He is repped by WME, Hamilton Hodell, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Poehler and her former “Parks and Recreation” collaborator Mike Schur co-wrote the first episode of “Dig,” with both also serving as executive producers and with Poehler starring. Schur executive produces under his Fremulon banner. J.J. Philbin is a writer and executive producer on the show. Morgan Sackett is an executive producer, with Dean Holland directing and executive producing. Additional executive producers include Dave Becky and David Miner for 3 Arts, Sharon Jackson of Ocean Avenue, and Kate Arend and Jordan Grief of Poehler’s Paper Kite. Myers is a co-executive producer. Universal Television is the studio. Universal Television — where Poehler, Schur, and Sackett are under overall deals — is the studio.
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From Variety US