Dan Harmon Creating Ancient Greece Set Animated Series For Fox
Dan Harmon is staying in the animation business. As co-creator of Rick and Morty he has become one of the biggest names in animation, but he had previously been known for working in live-action TV. Harmon seems to have been impressed by the storytelling possibilities the medium allows, as he signed a deal with Fox back in the summer of 2020 to develop new adult animation for the broadcast Network.
The first series to be produced as part of this new arrangement has now been revealed. Set in ancient Greece it features a family of "flawed humans, Gods, and monsters" trying to run one of the ancient world's first cities without killing each other. The show's name is still under wraps. Voice casting is currently underway and will be announced in the near future.
Harmon's deal gives him a rare privilege - the series developed under the deal have gone straight to a full series commitment, without having to go through the pilot process first. Whether than means that the notoriously cancel-happy Fox Network have guaranteed they will air all the episodes, we can't be sure.
The series is eyeing a 2022 debut, where it will join a growing line-up of animation, with newcomers Duncanville and The Great North joining stalwarts The Simpsons, Family Guy and Bob's Burgers. The series will be fully financed and owned by Fox, while Bento Box will produce the animation.
Michael Thorn, Fox' president of Entertainment said:
Leave it to Dan Harmon to turn the mythos of early Greek civilization into remarkably sharp commentary on today’s politics, celebrity and pop culture. This project is an incredibly irreverent family comedy as told by one of the town’s most inventive storytellers. We are proud to be partnered with Dan on this series, which strengthens our hold on the animation space and, as we continue to build Fox Entertainment, marks an important first step for us with our first fully-owned scripted property.
The description of the untitled series as a "family comedy" is worth taking note of. Rick and Morty is known for its outrageousness, but it seems this will be after a more general audience. This is an interesting premise and you can be sure we'll be keeping an eye (of Horus) on this one.
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