Jodie (film)

Jodie (previously known as Daria & Jodie) is an upcoming spin-off/reboot of Daria which will center around Jodie Landon after she graduates from college. Originally planned to be sold to other networks and streaming services, rather than being aired it on MTV, it was picked up by Comedy Central as a full series on June 18, 2020.

Announcement

The new series was announced in 2018 as a trio of productions from MTV Studios which included revivals of Aeon Flux and The Real World. The original plan was to have the project center around Daria Morgendorffer and Jodie Landon as co-leads, with an additional plan to sell this to other networks and streaming services, rather than air it on MTV.

The creator/helm of the new series was announced as Grace Nkenge Edwards, a writer's assistant and story editor for such shows as Ugly Americans, Broad City, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Inside Amy Schumer who previously taught screenwriting at Columbia University.

For over two years, little else is known about the new series. It was unknown if any of the principal writers or voice talent would return, or if the series would be animation or live action.

The MTV press release stated that 'Daria & Jodie' would be a 'reinvention' as opposed to the term 'reboot'. From the release:

"The iconic animated franchise is reinvented through the eyes of heroine Daria Morgendorffer and one of her closest friends Jodie Landon. These two smart young women take on the world, with their signature satirical voice while deconstructing popular culture, social classes, gender and race."

MTV network president Chris McCarthy told The Hollywood Reporter that rebooting the show with Jodie as co-lead was Grace Edwards' idea: "We brought on Grace Edwards as the writer and she is a huge fan of Daria. The story she wants to tell of Daria is different, it's about Daria and Jodie and two close friends taking on the world today... Grace Edwards has a point of view and angle she wants to tell."

Comedy Central

On June 18, 2020, Comedy Central officially picked up the reboot as part of a revitalization of its animated programming block alongside South Park. The series has been stated to focus on Jodie after she graduates from college. Jodie will be voiced by Tracee Ellis Ross rather than Jessica Cydnee Jackson. Ross will also produce the series. There is currently no word as to when production on the series will begin, or whether Daria Morgendorffer will also be included in the series as initially expected.

External Links

• Original announcement on Variety
• Interview with McCarthy
• Announcement from Comedy Central on IndieWire