Amy Poehler is trading in her Pawnee government office for an archaeological excavation site in Greece. The beloved comedian is making her much-anticipated return to series television with Dig, a new Peacock comedy she co-created with her Parks and Recreation collaborator Michael Schur. The show, which premieres November 23, 2026, promises to blend the witty workplace dynamics of Parks and Rec with the globe-trotting adventure of an Indiana Jones flick.
Based on Kate Myers' 2023 novel Excavation, Dig follows four women archaeologists who stumble upon a priceless artifact and find themselves entangled in an international conspiracy. The 10-episode series is set at a dig site in Greece, a setting that Poehler finds ripe for comedy. "A dig is a really funny place where a lot of young, energetic people show up to try to find things and where some serious and professional archaeologists try to make their careers," she told TVLine. "It's part summer camp, part mysterious uncovering of relics. We thought it would be a really good place to make jokes and create characters that you like."
The show's protagonist, Elise, is a star excavator who's fed up with taking a backseat to men—specifically Hugh Laurie's Neville, the head archaeologist who refuses to retire despite repeated announcements. Elise and her all-female team decide to keep their discovery under wraps, breaking protocol and possibly the law. The ensemble includes Antonia Thomas as the poised and intelligent Clare, Geraldine Viswanathan as the plucky but scattered Dylan, and Fina Strazza as the naive go-getter Patty—each bringing classic sitcom archetypes to the ancient setting.
While the show is rooted in workplace comedy—a genre Schur has mastered with The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine—it also leans into adventure. The trailer teases "deception and intrigue," with the women discovering they're being followed. But true to the show's comedic tone, they're more concerned about the unflattering angles of the surveillance photos than the actual threat. When they need an alibi, they injure each other in increasingly absurd ways, from bites to self-inflicted gunshot wounds, all while screaming in pain.
Poehler's reunion with Schur is a major draw for fans of her iconic character Leslie Knope. But Elise is no Leslie 2.0. While she's a workaholic, she lacks Leslie's unbridled optimism and adoration for her boss. Instead, Elise is described as "a lone wolf about to go rogue," bringing a more subdued and intimidating presence to the screen. Poehler praised Schur's ability to create deeply human characters, saying, "I think a good comedy creates characters that make you care enough to wonder what they do on the weekend when you're not watching them."
Schur's track record speaks for itself, with hits like The Good Place and A Man on the Inside under his belt. He's joined by co-showrunner J.J. Philbin, whose credits include The O.C., New Girl, and Only Murders in the Building. Together, they've assembled a stellar cast, including guest stars Max Greenfield, Jason Mantzoukas, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Dan Bucatinsky, and Noma Dumezweni.
Poehler has been a force both in front of and behind the camera, with producing credits on Broad City and co-creating Russian Doll. Dig marks her return to leading an ensemble comedy, and with its unique blend of humor and adventure, it's poised to be a standout addition to the streaming landscape. For those eager to see more of Poehler's comedic genius, you might also want to check out the 50th anniversary of Rocky or Johnny Depp's Rango heading to Peacock.
