According to Roku, "the new series turns the drama of the vintage '50s series into a slapstick comedy series, with Burrell playing a lonely detective who follows cases from town to town as he searches for his long-lost love who has escaped" .
“Since Tightrope! is a comedy about a detective (and finding a Wallenda seemed off brand) we’re thrilled to have Ty Burrell and Bryan Cranston join us at Roku for this imaginative, funny series,” Charlie Collier, President, Roku Media said in a statement. “What a joy to welcome Ty and Bryan to the Roku Originals lineup, along with the Moonshot and Desert Whale teams and our partners at Village Roadshow Television. We’re pleased to add Tightrope! to our growing originals slate to delight our audiences.”
Cranston is executive producing through his Moonshot Entertainment, along with James Degus. He founded the company in 2013 and has produced a wide range of content including Your Honor (US) (Showtime), Sneaky Pete (Amazon), The Dangerous Book For Boys (Amazon), Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams (Amazon) and SuperMansion (Crackle).
“I was inspired by the on-the-nose old drama series of the 50’s, to mess with the whole thing and create a new version of a lunatic comedy, never seen before in a TV series. Tightrope is a result of a fever dream, and conceived over a bowl of chili at Chasens, savvy?” Cranston said in a statement.
Added Burrell: “I’m so thrilled to be working with Bryan, and Roku Originals, on this bonkers (in the best way) idea of a show.”
Burrell will also executive produce for Desert Whale Productions. Tightrope! is also produced by Village Roadshow Televison. Adam Small and Fax Bahr will also produce and direct the series. The series is overseen by Morgan Pichinson on behalf of Roku Originals.
