On her first holiday without her father, Zoey attempts to create a magical Christmas for her family just like the ones Mitch used to do.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, an all-new feature-length film based on Emmy®-winning show “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” will premieres on The Roku Channel on December 1st.
Your first look at the Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist movie is here! Stream Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas free on December 1, only on The Roku Channel.
Christmas is coming early for fans of NBC’s canceled musical comedy “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.” Roku has confirmed that it has picked up a holiday-themed, feature-length film based on the Emmy-winning show to air exclusively on its ad-supported The Roku Channel in the U.S. later this year. There’s no official premiere date yet for “Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas,” but Roku says production on the TV movie will begin next week in Vancouver, with an air date in time for the festive season.
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas” will also be available to stream on Roku in Canada and in the U.K. As part of the deal with production studio Lionsgate, Roku has also acquired streaming rights to all 25 episodes of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” which will also be available to stream later this fall on The Roku Channel in the U.S.
The streaming device maker is in negotiations to revive the canceled NBC series for at least one more go.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist may get a new lease on life at Roku.
Lionsgate Television, which produces the canceled NBC series, is in advanced negotiations with streaming device maker Roku — which is making a push into original content — for a holiday movie based on the cult show. A deal isn’t done yet, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter, with some cast negotiations still to close.
Lionsgate and Roku declined comment.
NBC canceled Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist in June after two seasons. Lionsgate explored moving the musical dramedy starring Jane Levy to NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming platform, but the two sides couldn’t come to terms. Any such move would have required new deals to be completed for things like streaming rights (which Hulu currently holds) and likely were a big factor in the discussions.
If a deal is completed, it would be another step into original programming for Roku. The streaming company acquired the library of short-form streamer Quibi earlier this year, rebranding those shows as Roku Originals. The company also bought the library and production studio for venerable home improvement series This Old House, which includes 1,500 episodes’ worth of past shows and rights to stream new episodes of the series and companion show Ask This Old House after they air on PBS.
Austin Winsberg created Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and executive produces with Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum, Paul Feig, David Blackman, Daniel Inkeles and Sam Laybourne. In addition to Levy, the show stars Alex Newell, Skylar Astin, John Clarence Stewart, Mary Steenburgen, Andrew Leeds, Alice Lee, Michael Thomas Grant, Kapil Talwalkar, Lauren Graham and Harvey Guillén.
Jane Levy is an American actress, known for her role of Zoey from NBC’s musical comedy-drama »Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist«, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy.
Jane, you’ve finished filming Season 2 of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. How would you compare Zoey’s personality to yours?
I, like Zoey, have no chill. We are both neurotic and have a lot of energy. We differ in that Zoey works with computers and I am an artist. I would not be happy with an office job. I need to be physically stimulated,as well as mentally and spiritually… I know that is a big ask for a job,but somehow I’ve managed to pull that off with acting.
What made you pursue acting?
I’ve always naturally gravitated toward performing. It’s funny because I don’t have the kind of performative personality that most actors have. I can’t give a speech at a party to save my life. I don’t walk into a room and own it with my presence and charm. I would say I’m a pretty low key person. But I always knew I was good at acting. I’m fascinated with people and why they do what they do.
You’ve been in the acting industry for quite some time now. What’s your take on all the things going on in the world, the pandemic and BLM, being incorporated in Hollywood?
I’m not sure I can have a worthy succinct answer to such a big question. It is sad, sick and twisted that we live in a society where black people have to say that their lives matter. It’s devastating. Our country was built off of slavery and so our institutions are all inherently racist. I’m glad there is a bit of a reckoning in Hollywood. There must be.
What is your favorite thing about Zoey?
I like her sweetness. Thinking back on the show,I think there is something radical about it’s earnestness.
Zoey has the ability to hear people’s thoughts and feelings through songs. What is your favorite song you’ve done on the show so far?
I think my favorite songs on the show have been Don’t Speak by No Doubt, Feeling Good by Nina Simone and Black Man in a White World by Michael Kiwanuka. Favorite dance numbers? Anything including John Stewart.
Is there anything new you have learned about yourself through your role of Zoey?
I have learned a lot. I have learned that a button up shirt and a sweater and a blazer worn at once is too much. I have learned that I am a visual learner and I have a hard time understanding direction that isn’t contextualized physically. I have learned that I am a good leader. I have learned that my face can be very beautiful and also it can be very,very ugly. I have learned that in order to be good at your job,you have to sleep. I have learned that taking mental breaks from work makes you more efficient, flexible and creative!
As Zoey, you did a lot of singing and dancing. Which of the two is closer to you and why?
Dancing comes much easier to me. Singing is hardbecause to be good at it,you have to be relaxed. I am not, by nature, a relaxed person. Like I said earlier,no chill.Even though the show may be done,I am still taking singing lessons because I just started working with a somatic voice teacher named Doug Peck and he’s the best teacher at anything I’ve ever had.
You have lived both in New York and Los Angeles. In your own words, how do these two big cities compare and which one of them is your favorite?
Los Angeles is my favorite because I need to live someplace close to nature to calm me down. I am also from the Bay Area and I will forever be a California girl. However, New York has better food, better art and better parties.
Tell us about your biggest dream for the future.
My biggest dream for the future is to be able to have a family and a career.
Now that Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’s been canceled and it is not known yet if any other network will pick it up, where can we expect to see you next?
I don’t know, but the open year ahead of me is very exciting.
