# Amy Poehler Returns to Television With New Series 'Dig' The comedy star reunites with Mike Schur for a mystery set in Greece. - **Source:** [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/998d3221-c031-40ef-97c9-6ea09ab6e37c ## Return to Television Roots Amy Poehler is returning to television after a decade-long hiatus since Parks and Recreation concluded in 2015. While she has remained active in podcasting and animated films like Inside Out 2, this new project marks her first major scripted series return, reuniting her with creator Mike Schur for a fresh creative endeavor. ## Plot and Premise Details The series, titled Dig, follows a group of archaeologists and college students working at a site in Greece. Their summer takes a dark turn when they discover a rare artifact that could rewrite history, subsequently entangling the group in a dangerous international conspiracy that drives the show's ten-episode puzzle box mystery narrative. ## Adapting Bestselling Source Material Poehler brought the idea to adapt Kate Myers’ bestselling novel Excavations to Mike Schur. The production features a notable ensemble cast including Hugh Laurie, Geraldine Viswanathan, Antonia Thomas, and Fina Strazza. Poehler specifically sought out Laurie to portray the site leader, noting the story provided excellent character opportunities for the female leads. ## Shift in Tonal Direction While the show shares the collaborative spirit of Parks and Recreation, Poehler emphasizes that Dig is tonally distinct. It functions as a tight, ten-episode mystery rather than a traditional workplace comedy. The narrative structure is designed to encourage binge-watching, as each episode is crafted to leave viewers eager for the next installment. ## Collaborative Creative Vision Mike Schur and J.J. Philbin serve as the showrunners for the project. Despite the genre shift, the team aimed to recapture the positive, collaborative atmosphere of their previous work. Philbin noted that the core similarity lies in the characters being good people who genuinely care about their work and each other. ## The North Star Vibe The creative team identified the feeling of pure enjoyment as their primary goal for the audience. They wanted viewers to feel that the show is genuinely fun to watch, using the positive energy of their past collaboration as a guiding principle. This vibe remains central to the show's identity despite the mystery elements. ## Evolution of Television Production Poehler noted that the television landscape has changed significantly since she last led a series over ten years ago. She spent time carefully selecting the right project to mark her return, emphasizing that she was waiting for the right creative opportunity to align with her vision before committing to a new show. ## Future of the Series As the series moves toward its release, the focus remains on the tight narrative arc of the ten-episode season. By blending archaeological discovery with high-stakes international intrigue, the production aims to balance character-driven comedy with the tension of a thriller, marking a significant departure from Poehler's previous long-running sitcom success. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/amy-poehler-new-show-dig-parks-and-rec-1236751871/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._