Parks and Recreation to return for scripted reunion in aid of coronavirus charity

Half-hour revival will see Leslie Knope and friends contend with the struggles of social distancing

Louis Chilton
Friday 24 April 2020 06:55 BST
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Parks and Recreation: Flu Season episode

Beloved sitcom Parks and Recreation will return for a scripted special to raise money for coronavirus charities.

Most of the show’s original cast, including Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Retta and Jim O’Heir, are coming back, as well as some of the series’s guest stars.

The half-hour-long special, helmed by series creator Michael Schur, will see civil servant Leslie Knope contend with the struggles of social distancing.

Money raised from the broadcast will benefit Feeding America’s Covid-19 Response Fund.​

Parks and Recreation ran on NBC from 2009 to 2015, and focused on the adventures of a group of dysfunctional – or, in Leslie’s case, over-functional – employees working for local government in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.

Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, NBC’s co-presidents of scripted programming, said: “In such uncertain times, we can’t think of anyone better than Leslie Knope to unite our country with her unbridled enthusiasm and compassion.”

“A huge thank you to Mike Schur and the cast of ‘Parks and Recreation’ for putting this wonderful special together and bringing a smile to all our faces while raising money for such a worthwhile cause.”

The episode will air in the US on April 30. No UK air date has been announced.

Show creator Schur said: “Like a lot of other people, we were looking for ways to help and felt that bringing these characters back for a night could raise some money.”

“I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old Parks and Rec team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!”

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