It should come as no surprise, given the runaway popularity of DC Universe-inspired shows on primetime television right now, but NBC has confirmed today that they have ordered DC-themed sitcom, Powerless to series. The half-hour comedy will join NBC’s programming lineup during the 2016/2017 season. Along with confirming the pick-up, NBC also debuted the official logo for the series, which also shows its lead cast in action. You can check that out below:
Curiously, there’s no DC branding on the poster, though the show is very much rooted in the DC Universe, as NBC’s bosses have previously confirmed that no DC character will be fully off-limits for the sitcom. There will no doubt be caveats for some personalities however, to avoid intruding on the rights to various DC characters that are reserved for either competing television networks, or by DC parent, Warner Bros.’ movie division, or in the case of characters like The Flash and James Gordon, both.
Powerless stars Vanessa Hudgens as lead character, Emily Locke, an insurance claims adjuster specializing in damage and grievances related to the actions of DC superheroes. When Emily stands up to one of the DC do-gooders after her commute becomes disturbed, she becomes an unofficial hero amongst un-powered regular folks, or at the very least her quirky co-workers, which will show her the price of doing good, even without a costume or metahuman abilities. The series will also star Danny Pudi, Alan Tudyk and Christina Kirk in lead roles.
Powerless has the interesting claim of being the very first half-hour sitcom inspired by DC Comics in television history, as all previous television adaptations of the DC Universe have been hour-long dramas. The same is true of television shows adapted from the fictional universe of DC’s main competitor, Marvel Comics, though Marvel is currently developing two half-hour sitcoms of their own for ABC, including one potentially targeting a debut next year, Damage Control, and another that currently has no known details.
The debut season of Powerless will be joining confirmed new seasons of fellow primetime DC Comics shows, Gotham on FOX, Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow on The CW, and possibly a second season of Supergirl on CBS, though CBS has yet to renew their DC series for now. The Vertigo imprint of DC’s graphic novels has also seen two television adaptations currently hitting the airwaves, iZombie on The CW, and Lucifer on FOX, both of which have also already been renewed for new seasons. AMC will also be debuting their own Vertigo-inspired series later this month, Preacher.
Keep adjusting Eggplante for all major news and updates on Powerless, and other DC television projects.