Critically acclaimed web dramedy Downsized is back for Season 2 beginning April 27, 2011.
With generations of soap viewers watching their favorite shows fall off the air, I thought it was an important time to bring back Downsized, which is geared for an online audience looking for character-driven, socially relevant stories for grown-ups, which when at its best, was what soap operas were all about… And because we grownups are watching online TV!
Most importantly, it was the fans and web series community who brought the fully independent show back, contributing to the production through an IndieGoGo fundraiser, which just proves that in times of economic strife, people still reach out their hands and help, and that is such an uplifting sentiment.
The first season aired in 2009-2010 at the beginning of the economic crisis. Not only was I working in a corporate environment at that time, but I was surrounded by people who were all being heavily affected by what people are capable of during financial stress, and out poured the interconnected stories of Downsized.
The first season of the show followed the lives of several New Yorkers as they dealt with the absurdities of firing, cutbacks, and unemployment within a spectrum of diverse careers. From Connor the lawyer to Andy the temp to Beth the account manager to Leyla the cleaning lady to Priscilla the entrepreneur, all felt the affect of the extremes people will go to in order to save their job and their checkbooks.
I was lucky enough to enlist a high caliber cast and crew of TV, film and Broadway vets, who have thankfully returned, including Chris Henry Coffey (as Connor), straight off his critically acclaimed co-starring role in the David Schwimmer/Clive Owen film Trust; Conan McCarty (as Andy), a regular on TNT’s The Closer; Brian Keane (as Justin), now a regular on FX’s Lights Out; Meredith Zinner (as Priscilla), best known for a supporting role in Erin Brockovich; and Shannon Conley (as Astrid), now the lead singer of the mega-successful rock band Lez Zeppelin.
Told in the mosaic style of Magnolia with the dark humor of Nurse Jackie, the second season will take the show from the shaky, uncentered world of cubicles and into the home. After all, if you’re not being fulfilled in your job, what will you do to make sure you’re fulfilled in your personal relationships?
I am very excited about the upcoming season! It is not only relevant, poignant, and a little bit silly but it is also damn sexy!
Nominated as Best Web Comedy by Clicker.com in 2010 and an Official Selection at the Cologne Conference 2010 in Germany along with HBO’s Treme and AMC’s Mad Men, Downsized is also one of the few scripted web series granted a partnership with YouTube.
Produced by myself, Maitely Weismann (Mother Eve’s Secret Garden of Sensual Sisterhood) and Scott Napolitano (Issues), Downsized will be the first of many original online productions for DigitalChickTV.com, with a focus on bringing smart, sophisticated online programming to women.
Stay tuned throughout April for more on the Second Season! In the meantime, get caught up on SEASON ONE HERE.
xo
Daryn
