Amazon Greenlights Five New Originals, Renews Mozart in the Jungle

LONDON: Following its recent round of pilots, Amazon has greenlit five new original series, including The Man in the High Castle, which is based on the Philip K. Dick alternative history novel, along with renewing Mozart in the Jungle for a second season.

Also moving forward as a full series is Mad Dogs, an hour-long dark comedy created by Cris Cole (The Good Times Are Killing Me), and executive produced by Cole, Shawn Ryan (The Shield) and Marney Hochman (Last Resort), Andy Harries (Strikeback), Suzanne Mackie (Kinky Boots) and Charles McDougall (The Good Wife). It is based on the hit U.K. series about a group of underachieving 40-something friends who are at a crossroads in their lives. The docuseries The New Yorker Presents is moving forward as well.

Two kids' series have been given the go-ahead: Just Add Magic and The Stinky & Dirty Show. Based on Cindy Callaghan’s young adult book of the same name and adapted by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco (Sullivan & Son, Fairly Odd Parents), Just Add Magic is a single-camera live-action show for kids ages 6 to 11. The preschool-targeted The Stinky & Dirty Show, based on the I Stink! book series by Kate and Jim McMullan, is written by Guy Toubes (The Adventures of Chuck & Friends, Littlest Pet Shop, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi) and animated by Brown Bag Films.

These new shows will premiere exclusively to Prime members in the U.K., Germany and the U.S. later this year and in 2016.

“During the latest pilot season, Amazon customers made The Man in the High Castle our most-watched pilot ever,” said Roy Price, the VP of Amazon Studios. “These new series, including our first docuseries, are some of our most ambitious to date and I’m looking forward to their premieres in the future.”

Additionally, Amazon is bringing back the hit original series Mozart in the Jungle for a second season. It will premiere early next year exclusively on Amazon Prime Instant Video. Returning to the series are stars Gael Garcia Bernal (Rosewater), Saffron Burrows (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Lola Kirke (Gone Girl) and Malcolm McDowell (The Mentalist). The second season of Mozart in the Jungle will be executive produced by Roman Coppola (Moonrise Kingdom), Jason Schwartzman (The Darjeeling Limited) and Paul Weitz (About a Boy).

“The first season of Mozart in the Jungle was a big hit with our customers and I’m thrilled that we’re able to produce a second season,” said Price. “Roman, Jason and Paul brought viewers into this rarely-seen world of the symphony. I know fans of the series will be in for a treat when the second season premieres early next year.”
 
“Jason, Paul and I are delighted to work on a second season of Mozart in the Jungle,” added Coppola. “There are so many interesting stories we want to tell and we’re looking forward to shooting another season with our wonderful cast and team of collaborators. We’re grateful to all the folks at Amazon who believe in this project and supporting us to portray the world of our symphony in what we hope will be an interesting, fun and imaginative season of television. We can't wait for the curtain to rise on season two.”