There’s a new “kid” on the block at Toronto- and Montreal-based Sphere Media, with The Kids in the Hall star Mark McKinney signing a development deal for his own comedy docuseries.

The partnership will see McKinney (Superstore) develop, star and executive produce “his first-ever unscripted series” as the company looks to build out its unscripted comedy slate, according to a news release.

The deal was brokered by Kim Bondi, who was hired as SVP of development at Sphere Media-owned BGM in February 2022. Sphere’s corporate restructure and rebrand that April saw BGM move under the Sphere Media banner.

Bondi will also executive produce the McKinney series, as will Sphere Media president and CEO Bruno Dubé, along with president, unscripted Marlo Miazga, and comedy writer and producer Rob Sheridan (2 Broke Girls, Corner Gas, The Red Green Show).

The still-untitled project will see McKinney travelling the world “to meet ordinary people doing very extraordinary things,” said the release.

McKinney, one of the founding members of The Kids in the Hall comedy troupe, said in a statement: “When they asked me to head out into the world without a script, I’m so glad I remembered the first rule of improvisation and screamed ‘YES!'”

Bondi said the collaboration comes after she explored areas in which Sphere hadn’t yet produced, noting it’s the first time McKinney “has done an unscripted project like this.”

“This first talent deal with a comedy legend is an incredible springboard into building out our unscripted comedy slate, you simply couldn’t get a more perfect headliner,” said Bondi. “With Rob Sheridan on the project and having access to both of their lovely comedy brains, we’re ready to work on some magic together.”

Earlier this week, Netflix announced Sphere Media as the production company on an upcoming limited series created by Canadian comedy star Mae Martin. Sphere Media’s other comedy efforts include Sort Of, which is in the running for 15 trophies going into next week’s Canadian Screen Awards, where The Porter (Inferno Pictures, Sphere Media) will be up for a leading 19 nominations.

Photo courtesy of Sphere Media