Knoxville comedian Leanne Morgan begins filming her own Netflix sitcom. When to watch

Comedian Leanne Morgan has gone from selling high-end costume jewelry door-to-door to starring in her very own sitcom produced by TV show powerhouse Chuck Lorre.

“When I started comedy 25 years ago, my goal was to be a part of a sitcom. It just goes to show you it’s never too late, and dreams do come true. I’m a grandmama from Tennessee, and now I have a TV show with Chuck Lorre and Netflix. What in the world!?”

The grandma from Knoxville got a late start in standup but has quickly found success since a few of her comedy routines went viral on social media in 2020.

She’s toured the country, filmed a Netflix comedy special and released a New York Times' bestselling memoir. Now, the 59-year-old is living out a childhood dream.

Morgan announced the show has started filming in an Instagram post shared on Jan. 4. “A year ago I went to Netflix to pitch a sitcom.. and here we are FILMING IT! Thank you for believing in me, Ted!!” she wrote, acknowledging Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

What is Leanne Morgan’s sitcom about?

“Leanne” is about a grandmother in menopause starting over after her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman, according to the show’s description. She navigates the chapter with help from her family, grace, dignity and Jell-O salad.

The show’s tone and humor will be familiar to Morgan’s fans. The comedian is known for her frank, self-deprecating Southern-style humor that covers topics like hemorrhoids, breastfeeding, weight gain, what older men want in bed and everything in between.

Who stars in ‘Leanne’?

Kristen Johnston (“Mom”), Graham Rogers (“Ray Donovan”), Hannah Pilkes (“Would I Live to You”) and Ryan Stiles (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) will star in the sitcom alongside Morgan, according to Netflix.

• Kristen Johnston plays Carol, Leanne’s fiercely loyal sister. She’s twice divorced with no kids and is the total opposite of Leanne.
• Graham Rogers plays Tyler, Leanne’s son and her “pride and joy.” The new dad is navigating fatherhood, a domineering wife and the unexpected demise of his parents’ marriage.
• Hannah Pilkes plays Josie, Leanne’s daughter who knows her brother is the golden child, so she accepts her role as the rebel.
• Ryan Stiles plays Bill, Leanne’s ex-husband. “Bill has always put family first ... until now,” the character description reads. He left Leanne for another woman, and, for the first time, he has no idea what he’s doing.
• Celia Weston and Blake Clark have been cast as Leanne and Carol’s parents.

Chuck Lorre teams up with Leanne Morgan

Chuck Lorre is the creator and producer behind popular sitcoms including “The Big Bang Theory,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Mom,” “The Kominsky Method” and “Dharma & Greg."

Morgan co-created “Leanne” with Lorre. “I knew I had to work with her, and I’m so excited to bring this story to Netflix,” Lorre said in a statement.

When can you watch Leanne Morgan’s new Netflix show?

A specific date has not been announced yet, but “Leanne” is scheduled to debut on Netflix sometime in 2025.

Morgan also has signed on to film two more stand-up specials for Netflix. The first special will be taped June 21 at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Can’t wait? Morgan’s 2023 comedy special “I’m Every Woman” is still available on Netflix.

And another leg of her national comedy tour begins March 1. Tickets and info are available at leannemorgan.com.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208. 

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