Just days after naming Nicole Butler and Vanessa Steinmetz as its new co-CEOs, Pier 21 Films has announced a development deal with Canadian comedian Julie Kim for a half-hour series.

The workplace comedy is in development at a major, yet-to-be-revealed broadcaster and will mark Kim’s first scripted series as a creator and star, according to a news release.

Kim will co-write the pilot with Clara Altimas (Strays) and play a doctor who takes on a position overseeing a run-down walk-in clinic in her Canadian hometown after losing a major promotion as an emergency medicine physician in the U.S.

Toronto-raised Kim won a Canadian Screen Award for her work on the writing team for the 2022 Juno Awards broadcast, hosted by Simu Liu. She also wrote for the 2023 Junos and has contributed to the writing rooms of CBC series Kim’s Convenience (Thunderbird Entertainment), Run The Burbs (Pier 21 Films) and Still Standing (Frantic Films).

She’s performed her standup comedy around the world, including at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and a 40-theatre North American tour with Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah).

“Kim is one of today’s freshest standup performers with an impeccable track record for creating comedy gold,” Karen Tsang, SVP creative affairs, Pier 21 Films, said in a statement.

Kim said the show represents an intersection of two of her passions – comedy and health care.

“Like most Canadians, I have experiences and opinions about health care in our country. Unlike most Canadians, I have previous experience in health care both academically and professionally,” she said.

“I hope that the show will bring entertainment and laughter to a lot of people through our hilarious characters and relatable stories.”

Photo credit: Yohan Kim