Free Agents was a Syndication sitcom series developed by John Enbom based on the British comedy series of the same name that was created by Chris Niel (who also serves as co-creator and producer on this version along with John Enbom, Karey Burke, Todd Holland, and Kenton Allen).
The show aired from September 21 to October 6, 2011 after four episodes were broadcast; the remaining four episodes produced were later released via Hulu on January 16, 2012.
It was the last series to be produced by Universal Media Studios during the revival of Universal Television.
Plot[]
The series followed the lives of two public relations executives at an advertising firm in Portland, Oregon: recently divorced Alex Taylor and Helen Ryan, a woman who is trying to move on after the death of her fiancé.
Alex and Helen discover that they seem to have an attraction for each other, and end up having a drunken one-night stand, but they try to stay professional at work where their friends will do anything to get them to re-enter the dating scene.
Cast[]
- Hank Azaria as Alex Taylor
- Kathryn Hahn as Helen Ryan
- Mo Mandel as Dan Mackey
- Natasha Leggero as Emma Parker
- Al Madrigal as Gregg
- Joe Lo Truglio as Walter
- Anthony Head as Stephen Yates
Production[]
NBC took interest in the series after executive producer Todd Holland began developing the American adaptation with the UK's original writer Chris Niel and producers Nira Park, Kenton Allen and Matthew Justice in September 2010.
They also made changes to the workplace setting from talent agents in the British version to PR executives for American viewers, after NBC greenlit the pilot in February of 2011.
Actor Anthony Head was the only cast member who had ties to both shows (in which he played Stephen, the boss in the UK and US adaptations).