EXCLUSIVE: Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo, renowned reality figures from Summer House and popular podcast hosts of Giggly Squad, are now venturing into comedy series stardom. Netflix is developing a half-hour scripted comedy, co-written and headlined by the longtime close friends, a project the streamer secured in a competitive bidding situation. Amy Poehler (of Parks and Recreation and SNL fame) is producing, with Kay Cannon (known for Pitch Perfect and 30 Rock) co-writing and taking on the role of showrunner. Universal Television, where Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions is based, serves as the studio.
The as-yet-untitled Hannah and Paige project, set in New York City, will feature Berner and DeSorbo portraying fictionalized versions of themselves. The narrative will follow them as they become inseparable companions, assisting each other in shedding their emotional baggage and evolving into the individuals they’ve always aspired to be.
Berner and DeSorbo will serve as executive producers alongside Cannon, as well as Poehler and Kim Lessing from Paper Kite Productions, for Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
This project originated from an idea conceived by Berner and DeSorbo, who first met while briefly working for the same company in New York. Their bond deepened during their time together on Bravo’s Summer House, which they both joined for its third season. Berner departed after Season 5 to launch her stand-up comedy career. DeSorbo left after last year’s Season 9 and has since focused on her career as a fashion influencer, notably launching her Daphne sleepwear line.
Together, Berner and DeSorbo co-host Giggly Squad, which recently earned the Podcast of the Year award at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards. They have also been pursuing acting roles, including appearances in Mindy Kaling’s upcoming Hulu comedy series Not Suitable For Work.
As a stand-up comedian, Berner opened for Poehler and Tina Fey in May 2025, and Berner and DeSorbo were guests on Poehler’s podcast Good Hang around the same time. This connection ultimately led to Poehler’s involvement in their comedy project. Berner and DeSorbo also noted that Poehler executive produced Comedy Central’s Broad City, which similarly starred real-life friends Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson as two best friends navigating life in New York City. Poehler, in turn, enlisted her long-time friend Cannon, whose association dates back to their early days in the Chicago comedy scene.
The comedy series was established at Universal TV through Poehler’s exclusive deal there. The pitch was then circulated, garnering interest from multiple buyers before landing at Netflix with a script-to-series commitment.
Universal TV has become a prominent supplier of comedy series for Netflix, leveraging talent under the studio’s overall deal roster with productions such as Mike Schur’s The Man On the Inside, Fey’s The Four Seasons, and Darren Star’s upcoming Uncorked.
In 2024-25, Berner and DeSorbo took their Giggly Squad podcast on a tour across the U.S. and Canada, which included two sold-out performances at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. The duo are also the authors of the bestselling book How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously.
Separately, Berner headlined the 2024 Netflix comedy special Hannah Berner: We Ride At Dawn, while DeSorbo recently hosted the red carpet at the Actor Awards for Netflix. Berner is represented by WME, Entertainment 360, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; DeSorbo is with WME and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.
Cannon is directing the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy One Attempt Remaining starring Jennifer Garner and John Cena, and recently helmed the Hulu comedy pilot Don’t Get High. She is represented by WME and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.
Poehler, who recently won the inaugural podcast Golden Globe for Good Hang, co-created with Schur and stars in their upcoming Peacock comedy series Dig. She is represented by WME, 3 Arts, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.