James R | On 29, Jul 2015

Netflix has unveiled its comedy line-up for the autumn and winter months of 2015. The streaming service has been announcing an array of commissions and release dates on this year’s Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, with BoJack renewed for a third season and Aziz Ansari’s series officially unveiled. But Netflix has more on the way.

The company has placed a growing emphasis on comedy within its line-up of original orders and third party acquisitions, from Arrested Development to Archer. The Bluth family’s reunion for Season 4 may remain in the negotiating stage between Fox and its busy stars, but there are stand-up specials and shows coming thick and fast during the second half of this year.

Aziz Ansari’s series, Master of None, will be arriving in November, but he is not the only stand-up moving from the stage to the lead position in a show. Chelsea Handler, who also has stand-up shows streaming on Netflix, will star in her own docu-series called Chelsea Does.

The four-part film series will see Chelsea exploring topics of personal fascination: marriage, racism, technology and drugs. Directed by Oscar-nominated Eddie Schmidt (This Film is Not Yet Rated), exec produced by Chelsea Handler and Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom) and produced by Gary Snoonian (Chelsea Lately), the show has no confirmed release date yet, but marks an ongoing partnership between Handler and the VOD service: her talk show for Netflix will follow in 2016.

Bob Odenkirk and David Cross’ new sketch comedy series – With Bob and David – will also be arriving before the year is out, alongside Bill Burr’s animated comedy, F is for Family, starring Burr, Laura Dern and Justin Long. Not to mention, of course, Sofia Coppola’s A Very Murray Christmas, a seasonal special starring Bill Murray and a star-studded cast that includes George Clooney, Amy Poehler, Michael Cera, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph, Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones, Miley Cyrus, and others.

In between those lie a raft of new stand-up specials. For the streaming service, it continues to build its reputation as the go-to VOD destination for comedy. For the comedians, meanwhile, it represents an opportunity to build a global presence online, as Netflix develops its strategy of commissioning original content from talent that proves popular with subcribers.

Here’s a rundown of the stand-up comedy specials coming soon to Netflix during the autumn and winter of 2015:

Demetri Martin: Live (At the Time) – Friday 14th August

Features Demetri Martin delivering a brand new hour of his signature one-liners showcasing his abilities as one of this generation’s sharpest comedy minds.

Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy – Friday 2nd October

Anjelah Johnson’s newest comedy special features an evolving woman dealing with life on the road, settling into marriage and the lovable antics of her Mexican American family.

Anthony Jeselnik: Thoughts and Prayers – Friday 16th October

Shot at the historic Fillmore Theatre in San Francisco, Anthony Jeselnik’s latest special, Thoughts and Prayers, delivers an all-new hour of hilarious stand-up comedy.

John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid – Friday 13th November

In his new stand-up special John Mulaney regales a sold out audience at the Chicago Theater with stories about a temp job he once had, a realtor he knows, a different realtor he knows, and the night he met Bill Clinton.

Brent Morin – Tuesday 1st December

Through many mistakes and adventures, Morin comes to terms with the fact that he wants to be in love, but is nowhere near ready for a relationship.

Mike Epps: After Dark – Friday 18th December

It’s his time to shine…and Mike Epps wastes no time bringing his unapologetic and raunchy swagger to a howling live audience at the historic Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles.

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