Daria fans, rejoice! Not only is “Jodie,” a spinoff of the beloved show, finally making its way to television two decades after Daria (1997–2002) ended its run, but it has a powerhouse star and producer in Tracee Ellis Ross, who is going to voice the titular character. The show will be a “satire of the post college workplace and personal adventures of Gen Z.” Variety has more:
The new series will center around Daria’s good friend Jodie Landon (Ellis Ross), an African American character from the original series. Viewers will follow her as she comes into her own and enters the workplace in her first post-college job in tech. Other former students from Lawndale High School will also appear.
Tracee Ellis Ross is “thrilled” about the series and her dual role:
“Being able to give voice to fresh, feminist and unexplored stories of young women excites me . . . . We will feature a diverse cast, comprised mainly of unapologetically smart and ambitious young female characters who are vulnerable and flawed and interesting and funny….‘Jodie’ will be the first adult animated show in almost 20 years that will star a black woman. It will be a smart, funny workplace comedy full of commentary about everything from gentrification to sex to tech to call-out culture.”
I wasn’t allowed to watch MTV when Daria originally started airing, and then I didn’t have cable. I’ll have time to watch it (thanks, Hulu!) before Jodie debuts. None of the articles I’ve run across have listed a premiere date; maybe they’ll release it to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Daria’s final season in 2022. The Variety article points out that Jodie is just one of the planned Daria spinoffs, so fans will have even more shows to look forward to. MTV had initially planned that “the new series would be a re-imagination of the ‘Daria’ series which would feature the titular character,” but then decided to give Jodie her own show. Spinoffs with other characters seem like a good way to prolong the life of the Daria universe without letting it get stale (assuming that the writing and performing are sharp). I wonder whether Daria herself will appear in Jodie
photos credit: WENN, Avalon.red and MTV
Quimby you’ve gotta catch up on Daria, I miss that show that explains me in high school except it was all an girls catholic school
Daria! I loved how deadpan she was, and because I had a deeper voice as a girl, she made me not feel so weird. I remember Jodie as a good egg, especially when she and her prom date were over being prom King and Queen but because they were aware of representation, they rolled with it, and took the honour in the best way.
UK fans can rejoice in the fact that Sky have it on boxset. I have just rewatched all 5 series. I was 15 when it came out so it was really a coming of age series for me. Can’t wait for this spin off
I need to rewatch Daria. I’m not the only Gen Xer excited about this!
I never got on the Daria train. I watched it as a youngster and remember being confused on if Daria was supposed to be cool because she was unbelievably rude and “not like other girls!”, or if it was supposed to be satire making fun of girls like Daria? I still don’t know.
But I am glad Tracee is lining up more projects! I’m a big fan of hers and will give this a shot.
No. Daria was an outcast with a sarcastic wit. She wasn’t athletic, pretty or popular but she was smart. Her sister Quinn was rude to her and the more popular kids used her for various tasks. I think you maybe don’t get Daria’s humor?
Oh no, i definitely get the humor. But Daria’s sister is 14, and has some serious identity issues. Even to cut Quinn out, Daria is actively mean to Jane and insults her artwork, and iirc, makes out with her boyfriend. And sabotages her when she joins track, right? And is really awful to her parents when they try to spend time with her, and her teachers-even when they praise her. And and and. Maybe I just don’t really get the whole show i guess. 🤷♀️
@broodytrudy
yea when she got with Jane’s boyfriend i was like FOUL AF daria
As a Daria fan- and a Ms. Ellis-Ross fan- I will totally watch this.
YESS! On my TV, now!
OMGolly! Best news today!!!
I can totally see Daria making an appearance. She liked and had a ton of respect for Jodie and I doubt that will change.
I didn’t have cable either but then my mother would have never approved of me watching Daria! Still I used to go over to my friend’s house and watch when I was 16, such a good show!