Sunny Nights, meanwhile, is set and was filmed in the warmer surroundings of Sydney, Australia.
ODonnell directs and exec produces.
He put in calls and worked some back channels and managed to get both on board.
D’Arcy Carden and Will Forte in ‘Sunny Nights’ for StanLisa Tomasetti, Jungle, Stan, Cineflix Rights
You couldnt get me to Australia fast enough, Carden tells Deadline.
It only took four years and a 15-hour flight.
I read it and fell in love.
The characters were so unique, and I had never gotten to play a character like Vicki.
Sunny Nightswas written by Ty Freer and Nick Keetch and is an original for Australian streamerStan.
The series treads a line between comedy and drama.
ODonnell had to dial different elements up or down accordingly.
I had to keep an eye on what was going to stay true to the story.
What makes these people feel real, and when am I just enjoying comedy bits.
Its a prerequisite that I put him in everything I do, ODonnell says with a grin.
He literally flew in from LA and did his part onSunnythe same day.
Other notable casting casting includes Willie Mason as a former sports star turned heavy.
It was the ex-rugby league internationals first acting gig.
As with Carden and Forte, ODonnell went direct.
I got his number and texted him cold and was basically like: Im making a TV show.
Have you ever thought about acting?
From the moment he said yes, he was incredibly dedicated.
I think he started acting lessons the following day.
When you get to an American online grid show theres such a safety net and an infrastructure.
Everyone is so seasoned and the crews are just bigger.
Theres more money, the production just has more things.
If Im shooting in Australia its pretty much a 24-7 job, its all hands on deck.
Cineflix Rights is across that part.
It is distributing and the series is a priority at its London Screenings event later today.
