‘Night Court’ Sequel Nabs NBC Pilot Pickup

NBC is returning to Night Court.

The network has handed out a formal pilot order to a sequel of its Emmy-nominated comedy series with original star John Larroquette joined by Big Bang Theory grad Melissa Rauch at the top of the call sheet.

The new Night Court is based on the original series from creator Reinhold Weege and revolves around Abby Stone (Rauch), the daughter of the late Harry Stone (the late Harry Anderson), who is following in her father’s footsteps as she presides over a Manhattan arraignment court and its oddballs and cynics, including former night court prosecutor Dan Fielding (Larroquette, who reprises his Emmy-winning role).

Rauch brought the idea for the Night Court sequel to Warner Bros. TV, where she is under an overall deal that dates back to her time on the studio’s Big Bang Theory. Rauch recently signed on to star in the comedy after originally developing the project as an exec producer via her After January banner.

Dan Rubin (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) will pen the script and exec produce alongside Rauch and her After January partner/husband Winston Rauch. Larroquette will also produce the comedy.

“My intention was purely to be behind the camera on this project, but my plans quickly changed after falling in love with the incredible script from the brilliant mind of Dan Rubin,” said Rauch, whose role will mark her first regular part since wrapping CBS’ Big Bang Theory. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join forces with Dan, the immense talent that is John Larroquette, and the two powerhouse institutions of comedy that are NBC and Warner Bros. to bring Night Court back to television.”

Night Court ran as part of NBC’s Thursday lineup from 1984-92. Larroquette took home four Emmys playing Fielding, with the show also earning three best comedy nominations.

The new Night Court joins fellow NBC comedy pilots including 2020 holdovers Crazy For You, Someone Out There and Jefferies as well as the recently ordered Demi Lovato vehicle Hungry. Night Court and Jefferies are the only multicamera comedies of the network’s half-hour crop.

Keep up with the latest pilot orders and series pickups with THR‘s handy pilot guide.