Actress/comedian Michelle Buteau has another project set up at Netflix. It is Survival of the Thickest, a new scripted comedy series.
Shadow and Act has confirmed eight-episode series is based on her book of essays of the same name. Buteau plays a woman who is in the process of a personal rebirth after a failed relationship. According to the official description:
Survival of the Thickest centers on Mavis Beaumont (Buteau). Black, plus-size and newly single, Mavis Beaumont unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life after putting all her eggs in one man’s basket, but she’s determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss.
“It’s been so damn amazing finding a home with Netflix,” said Buteau in a statement received by S&A. “To say I’m excited to continue my relationship with them is an understatement. I’m over the moon and I’m under it! Danielle has been a dream partner and I can’t wait to share what we’ve been cooking up.”
“Michelle Buteau is many things: a brilliant writer, a gifted stand-up comedian and an empowering performer,” Netflix’s head of comedy Tracey Pakosta added. “But above all else: she is one of the funniest people alive. Paired with Danielle Sanchez-Witzel – one of TV’s sharpest visionaries – Survival of the Thickest will bring Michelle’s unique point of view to life.”
Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel created the series, with A24’s Ravi Nandan and Alli Reich executive producing. Sanchez Witzel will also act as showrunner thanks to her new overall deal with Netflix.
Buteau had a long-standing relationship with Netflix thanks to her stand-up special, Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia, serving as host of reality series The Circle, and will narrate the upcoming docuseries The Principles of Pleasure. She has also starred in the film Always Be My Maybe, series Tales of the City, and she will also host the second season of Barbecue Showdown.