Apple TV has struck a deal with Liz Heldens, one of the producers of the acclaimed mystery series Will Trent, for a new half-hour comedy series. Heldens will serve as producer and showrunner alongside Matt Ward from Madam Secretary. This is the latest comedy project from the streamer behind The Studio, with production set to begin later this year.

The untitled series stars Elizabeth Banks in the lead role. Banks will portray a newly divorced mother looking to embark on the next chapter of her life. However, just when she thinks her divorce is complicated, a new predicament is looming on the horizon. Despite her elderly father moving into a nursing home, he leads a surprisingly active social life; in fact, her daughter finds herself having to coordinate her father's "dating appointments." This situation leads her to form a strange alliance with her father's perpetually single son.

While Apple TV is known for intellectual sci-fi dramas like Severance, it has expanded its comedy offerings in recent years. Alongside the massive sports hit Ted Lasso, successful comedies like Platonic, Shrinking, and last year's award-winning phenomenon The Studio have been part of the platform's collection.

In addition to acting, Banks will serve as an executive producer on the series through Brownstone Productions, alongside Max Handelman and Krissy Wall. Jonathan Krisel, director of English Teacher, will direct the pilot episode and also be an executive producer. Quinn Haberman will continue as executive producer for Selfish Mermaid on behalf of Heldens; Jason Winer and Jon Radler will serve as executive producers for Small Dog Picture Company. The series will be produced by 20th Television.

While it has been announced that the new Apple TV comedy series starring Elizabeth Banks is in development, no release date has been provided yet. Meanwhile, Liz Heldens' successful ABC series Will Trent continues to air on Hulu.