TV Talk: Filmed-in-Pittsburgh ‘Sprung’ springs up on Amazon Freevee in August
“Sprung,” the Amazon Freevee comedy series from writer Greg Garcia (“My Name is Earl,” “Raising Hope”) that filmed in Western Pennsylvania in summer and fall 2021, will premiere on the streaming service Aug. 19.
“Sprung” follows a group of formerly incarcerated people who band together to use their criminal experience for good, targeting anyone who took advantage of folks during the covid-19 pandemic.
The series marks a “Raising Hope” reunion for Garcia who cast his “Hope” leads – Garret Dillahunt and Martha Plimpton – in “Sprung.” (Plimpton was brought in just a few days into filming to replace Illeana Douglas. Originally Plimpton was announced as a recurring guest star but that was before the cancellation of HBO Max’s “Genera+ion,” which Plimpton starred in; now Plimpton is billed as a series regular on “Sprung.”)
Jack (Dillahunt) spent more than two decades in prison and now wants to change his ways. He moves in with former cellmate Rooster (Philip Garcia), Rooster’s mom, Barb (Plimpton), and Jack’s former prison girlfriend, Gloria (Shakira Barrera).
Their first target is Earl (James Earl), an opportunist, and Earl’s girlfriend, Wiggles (Clare Gillies), who used to date Rooster.
Kate Walsh (“Grey’s Anatomy”) guest stars alongside Chris Bauer (“Heels”), Fred Grandy (“The Love Boat”) and Susan Ruttan (“L.A. Law”), Mark Christopher Lawrence, Mike Rob, Steven Ogg and David Wells.
Two “Sprung” episodes roll out for the show’s debut with one episode premiering weekly after that on Fridays.
“Sprung,” which was based at stages in Monroeville, filmed all around Western Pennsylvania including at Station Brake Cafe in Wilmerding, North Park Lodge in Gibsonia, Purples Saloon in Ford City, the Goodwill Store in Mars, Della’s Frozen Custard in New Kensington, SCI Greensburg and the Third Avenue Garage and Allegheny Courthouse in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Amazon Freevee, formerly known as IMDb TV, is a free, ad-supported streaming service.
Channel surfing
Pittsburgh native Billy Porter signed a first-look content creation deal with FX, home to his 2018-21 series “Pose.” … Peacock renewed comedy “Killing It” for a second season. … “On Patrol: Live,” the reincarnation of “Live P.D.,” premieres at 9 p.m. July 22 on cable’s Reelz. … Disney+ will debut “Lego Star Wars Summer Vacation” on Aug. 5 as some of the ”Star Wars” characters book a trip on Galactic Starcruiser Halcyon. … Paramount+’s “1883” sequel (and “Yellowstone” prequel) that was originally announced as “1932” has been renamed and is now “1923,” presumably so Paramount+ can wring more seasons out of the story by providing runway for later seasons that get to 1932.
You can reach TV writer Rob Owen at rowen@triblive.com or 412-380-8559. Follow @RobOwenTV on Threads, X, Bluesky and Facebook. Ask TV questions by email or phone. Please include your first name and location.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.