The Jury Duty universe is set to expand with the announcement of a new series, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat. Prime Video revealed the upcoming installment on Thursday, promising to retain the original’s unique format that blends reality with scripted comedy, featuring an unsuspecting participant immersed in a carefully crafted fictional backdrop.
The first season of Jury Duty, which premiered in 2023, revolved around Ronald Gladden, a solar panel contractor who mistakenly believed he was documenting a real jury duty experience. Unbeknownst to him, the entire scenario, including the court case and jeho jurors, was staged, with actors portraying his fellow jurors. The comedic element was heightened by the presence of James Marsden, who played an exaggerated version of himself in this extraordinary reality-show-meets-scripted-comedy format.
Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat shifts the narrative from the courtroom to the corporate environment, centering on a week-long offsite for a family-run hot sauce company. This new documentary-style comedy unfolds entirely from Anthony’s perspective, a newly hired temporary worker who is oblivious to the scripted nature of the workplace and the actors playing his colleagues.
If this new series follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, it may find itself in contention for various awards. The original series garnered significant acclaim, winning a Peabody Award, an AFI Award, and receiving four Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Marsden. It also attracted two Golden Globe nominations and two Critics Choice Award nominations.
Behind the scenes, the new series is executive-produced by a talented team, including David Bernad, Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky, and others, with Eisenberg and Stupnitsky as co-creators and Jake Szymanski directing. Discussions around the narrative suggest a recurring theme of heroism and positivity, as emphasized by Bernad, who noted that the characters are not the butt of the joke but rather respond to absurd situations in uplifting ways.
Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat will make its debut on Prime Video on March 20, with three episodes available at launch. This will be followed by two additional episodes on March 27 and a three-episode finale airing on April 3.
The expansion of this innovative series promises to deliver more humor and heart, keeping viewers engaged with its unique premise and comedic charm.