Dan Harmon Animated Comedy Gets Series Commitment at Fox

Fox Entertainment has given a series commitment to a new animated comedy from “Rick and Morty” co-creator Dan Harmon. The potential show is part of a direct animation deal the “Community” mastermind has signed with the Fox broadcast network.

Under the pact, Harmon will create and develop the series, which is targeted to premiere in the spring of 2020. This marks Fox’s first direct animation deal to receive a series commitment and will be fully owned by Fox, with Fox Entertainment set to produce the untitled comedy and Bento Box Entertainment serving as the show’s animation studio.

“Before joining the network ranks, I was an independent producer who had the opportunity to work with Dan on one of my very first projects. His singular voice, tenor and conviction to always deliver the unexpected in the stories he tells, let me know right away that he was a special talent,” Michael Thorn, president of entertainment at Fox Entertainment, said in a statement Wednesady. “As one of the most prolific creators working in the business today – and as Fox’s animation brand continues to grow and evolve, with the support and guidance of Charlie Collier – there’s no better creative partner to have than Dan Harmon.”

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Harmon is best known for creating the beloved NBC comedy “Community,” and co-creating Adult Swim animated series “Rick & Morty” with Justin Roiland. “Rick and Morty” recently ended its fourth season, with Harmon, Roiland and their team already working on Season 5 as part of the large episode order the cable channel placed in 2018. In 2015, Harmon executive produced the Academy Award-nominated animated feature film “Anomalisa.”

Harmon joins a list of creators who have recently signed direct deals at Fox Entertainment, including Jeff Davis, Kyle Killen, Mara Brock Akil and Sarah Watson, who wrote and will executive produce Fox’s untitled film re-enactment project based on “The Goonies.”

Deadline first reported the news of Harmon’s new series and deal with Fox Entertainment.