It's been over a decade since Amy Poehler said goodbye to Leslie Knope, but she's finally making a triumphant return to scripted comedy. The beloved actress is teaming up with her Parks and Recreation co-creator Mike Schur for a brand-new Peacock series called Dig, and this time, she's stepping back in front of the camera in a big way.
Based on Kate Myers's 2023 novel Excavations, Dig is a 10-episode comedy that follows four women archaeologists at very different life stages who spend a summer at a dig site in Greece. When they stumble upon a discovery that could rewrite history, they find themselves tangled in a wild, high-stakes international conspiracy. The pilot was written by Poehler and Schur, with Schur and his wife, J.J. Philbin, serving as co-showrunners. All 10 episodes will drop on Peacock on November 23.
Poehler plays Elise, the lead archaeologist on the dig, while Hugh Laurie takes on the role of Neville, a British professor who's utterly obsessed with archaeology and sees himself as a mentor to everyone on site. The rest of the core cast includes Geraldine Viswanathan as Dylan, a former team member returning after five years to settle unfinished business; Antonia Thomas as Clare, the head preservationist who prefers the lab to the dusty trenches; and Fina Strazza as Patty, Neville's undergraduate assistant who's never been on a dig or even left the US. The ensemble also features Kayvan Novak, Jon Pointing, George Basil, Mason Vale Cotton, and Bonita Friedericy.
For Poehler, Dig marks a major milestone. After starring in Upright Citizens Brigade, Saturday Night Live, and Parks and Rec, she had largely stepped back from on-screen roles in recent years, focusing on producing, podcasting, and hosting. Now she's back in the kind of role that made her a generational comedy icon—and she's bringing Hugh Laurie along for the ride. Laurie, known to American audiences for his dramatic work but revered in the UK for his comedy partnership with Stephen Fry, gets to show off his comedic chops in a way US viewers rarely see.
For Schur, Dig is another ambitious swing in a career full of them. From The Office to Brooklyn Nine-Nine to The Good Place, he's proven himself a master of nuanced, character-driven comedy. With Dig, he's tackling a high-concept premise that blends mystery and intrigue with his signature humor, all set against an international backdrop. It's a big swing that requires a bigger budget than your typical sitcom, but if anyone can pull it off, it's Schur and his team.
Peacock is clearly betting big on Dig, and with good reason. The streaming service has been building its comedy slate, and this series brings together some of its most beloved in-house talent—both Poehler and Schur have overall deals with Universal Television. It's a reunion that could reignite the kind of must-see TV magic that defined NBC's comedy heyday, and it's one of the most anticipated releases of the fall season.
While details about the plot are still under wraps, Poehler has been vocal about her love for the source material, calling Excavations one of her favorite reads of 2024. For fans of smart, character-driven comedy with a twist, Dig is shaping up to be a must-watch. And if you're looking for something to tide you over until November, you could always check out some of Peacock's other recent offerings, like this underrated sitcom or this thriller that might surprise you.
With a stellar cast, a proven creative team, and a premise that promises both laughs and intrigue, Dig has all the ingredients to be one of the standout comedies of the year. Mark your calendars for November 23—this is one excavation you won't want to miss.
