Jane Fonda And Lily Tomlin Back Together Again In "Grace and Frankie," A New Original Comedy Series On Netflix

Legendary Comediennes team with Friends creator Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris for a Very Different Kind of Sitcom

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Netflix, the world's leading Internet television network, will bring to its global members "Grace and Frankie," a new original comedy series starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as long-time rivals brought together by a rather unusual change in their marital circumstances. The 13- half-hour episode first season from Skydance Productions is written and created by Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris, and will premiere next year. Marta Kaufman, Howard J. Morris, Paula Weinstein, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Marcy Ross will executive produce.

"Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are among the funniest and most formidable actresses ever and it's an incredible privilege to give them the opportunity to run riot on Netflix," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. "The show created for them by Marta and Howard is warm, very funny and anything but wholesome. We can't wait."

"Netflix is redefining the way we produce and consume television and it's a true privilege to be in business with Ted and his amazing team," said David Ellison of Skydance. "Working with the wonderfully talented Marta, Jane, Lily, Howard and their producer Paula Weinstein is a dream come true, and the story they have crafted is both hilarious and heartfelt."

The single-camera comedy focuses on nemeses Grace (Fonda) and Frankie (Tomlin) facing the last chapter of their lives, though not in the way they expected. When their husbands announce they are in love with each other and plan to get married, the women find their lives both turned upside down and to their dismay, permanently intertwined. Eventually, to their surprise, they find they have each other.

Two-time Oscar winner, Emmy winner and Tony Award nominee Jane Fonda recently starred on HBO's "The Newsroom," and was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series," for her role on the show. She most recently was seen in "Lee Daniels' The Butler" and appears in "Better Living through Chemistry," now in theaters.

Oscar-nominated Lily Tomlin recently won an Emmy for the HBO film, "An Apology to Elephants," which she co-executive produced and narrated. Tomlin has won numerous other honors, including two Tony Awards, two Peabody Awards, seven Emmy Awards and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Last year, she co-starred with Tina Fey in the film, "Admission," and currently appears on Showtime's "Web Therapy." Tomlin continues to perform 30 to 50 theater concerts across the country each year.

Marta Kauffman is best known as the creator of the widely successfully television show "Friends." The series was on the air for ten seasons, was nominated for numerous Golden Globe awards and won an Emmy for "Outstanding Comedy Series." Kauffman also co-created "Dream On" for HBO. Most recently, Kauffman launched More Horses Productions, with Robbie Tollin serving as the company's Executive Producer and Hannah K-S as creative executive. Under the shingle, Kauffman created the Lifetime television movie "Five," five short films about breast cancer, directed by Jennifer Aniston, Patty Jenkins, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore and Penelope Spheeris.

Howard J. Morris currently writes and produces the television show, "Sullivan & Son," starring Steve Byrne and Brian Doyle-Murray. Morris created the television show "In Case of Emergency," starring David Arquette. His previous writing and producing credits include "The Starter Wife," "Home Improvement," for which he received an Emmy nomination.

Paula Weinstein produced the television movie "Too Big to Fail," which was nominated for three Golden Globes, including "Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television." Additionally, Weinstein produced the television movies "Truman" and "Recount," each of which won the Primetime Emmy for "Outstanding Made for Television Movie." Her previous producing credits include "The Perfect Storm," "Analyze This," "Blood Diamond," "Rumor Has It…," "The Company Men," and many more. Weinstein is currently producing the Ron Howard film, "The Heart of the Sea," and "This is Where I Leave You," starring Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, and Adam Driver.

For the latest information about the series, follow @GraceandFrankie on Twitter.

About Netflix

Netflix is the world's leading Internet television network with over 44 million members in more than 40 countries enjoying more than one billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

About Skydance Productions

Skydance Productions creates and produces elevated event-level commercial entertainment. Skydance's recent releases include JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT, from director Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Pine, WORLD WAR Z, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Marc Forster; J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, and G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, starring Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson. Skydance projects currently in development include the reboot of the TERMINATOR franchise, to be released on July 1st, 2015, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5 with Christopher McQuarrie directing and a disaster film on a global scale titled GEOSTORM written by Dean Devlin and Paul Guyot with Devlin also directing. Skydance's previous projects include the award-winning Coen Brothers film TRUE GRIT, starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL, starring Tom Cruise and Jeremy Renner and Christopher McQuarrie's JACK REACHER, starring Tom Cruise. Skydance's new television division recently started production on its first series, Manhattan, to WGN America. From writer Sam Shaw and director Tommy Schlamme, this 13-episode drama is set against the backdrop of the clandestine mission to build the world's first atomic bomb in Los Alamos, New Mexico and follows the brilliant but flawed scientists and their families as they attempt to co-exist in a world where secrets and lies infiltrate every aspect of their lives.

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SOURCE: Netflix, Inc.

Karen Barragan, Netflix PR, [email protected], 310-975-8664; or Joy Fehily, Prime for Skydance, [email protected]; or Chelsea Brandon, Prime for Skydance, [email protected]

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