HBO Orders Hugh Laurie Comedy ‘Avenue 5’

HBO has greenlit a comedy from “Veep” creator Armando Iannucci called “Avenue 5.” It stars Hugh Laurie (“House”) and is described as a “space tourism comedy set 40 years in the future when the solar system is everyone’s oyster.” The logline: Laurie is Ryan Clark, Captain of space cruise ship Avenue 5. Josh Gad plays Herman Judd, the billionaire face and name behind Avenue 5 and the whole Judd brand, including hotels, fitness clubs and space tourism. Zach Woods is Matt Spencer, Head of Customer Relations. Nikki Amuka-Bird portrays Rav Mulcair, Head of Judd Mission Control on Earth. Rebecca Front is Karen Kelly, a born leader who illicitly boarded Avenue 5 using her sister’s non-transferable ticket. Lenora Crichlow plays Billie McEvoy, the second engineer. Suzy Nakamura is Iris Kimura, Judd’s right-hand-woman. And Ehtan Phillips portrays Spike Martin, an elderly space enthusiast and former astronaut who is a grizzled womanizer and heavy drinker.”

There is no premiere date for “Avenue 5” at press time.