Created by and starring actor/filmmakers Dani Pagliarello (The Handmaid’s Tale, Luckiest Girl Alive) and Aisha Evelyna (Slo Pitch, Rabbit Hole), THE DROP marks the first scripted series from True West Films and the first fully scripted acquisition for Narcity Media Group
TORONTO (April 12, 2023) — Whether it’s Birkin or babyGap, if there’s a drop, Zara (Dani Pagliarello,) and Polly (Aisha Evelyna) are there. The queens of #werking while they’re working, the provocative pair are among Toronto’s top line waiters, cashing in on their clients’ insatiable need for the latest luxury goods. Written/directed by and starring creators Pagliarello and Evelyna, and produced by Elizabeth Yake, True West Films (It’s All Gone Pete Tong), THE DROP (4x15) - an edgy new comedy for modern times - begins streaming Friday, May 5 on Narcity's YouTube channel.
The hustle of professional line-waiting sparks the accidental friendship of a diabetic American escapee, Zara, and a Canadian wannabee influencer, Polly. With Zara working illegally and Polly showing her the ropes, the pair are rising in the ranks as Toronto's premier line-waiting duo who stand in line for exclusive luxury product drops, ranging from limited edition Jordans, the latest tech gadgets, and even…”Bottled Air, Trademark.”
The #besties drive the satirical social commentary, fuelled by underground pop culture phenomena and society’s wild obsession with material goods. Every episode is a new line-up, and every line-up is a new adventure!
THE DROP boasts an all-Canadian cast of established and emerging talent, including Pagliarello, Evelyna, Aurora Browne (Baroness Von Sketch Show) as Daksha, a one-percenter and regular client of Zara’s, Danté Prince (Detention Adventure) as Ramone, a 13-year-old OG line-waiter supporting his two stay-at-home moms, Samantha Brown (Y: The Last Man) as Chantal, a quintessential #GIRLBOSS and mean-girl SHE-EO in the making, Andrew Robinson (The Strain) as “Bay Street Douchebag,” a nice dude with a penchant for partying who is new to line-waiting after losing his job, Mishka Thébaud (The Boys) as Ritchie, Zara’s black-market insulin dealer who definitely has a crush on her, and Mark Little (Mr. D) as the clerk somehow working the door for every drop in the city.
Guest appearances include Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle), Nicole Power (Kim's Convenience, Strays), Kris Siddiqi (Baroness Von Sketch Show, Bit Playas), and Nigel Downer (Ghosts, Bit Playas), and Patrick Ronan (The Lost Symbol, Man Seeking Woman).
“We spent our formative years peeing our pants laughing at audacious shows like Broad City and Chewing Gum. They felt like miracles - the answer to society's suppressed truth about how funny and weird women are, especially among one another when they hang out together. With those shows ended, we felt inspired and motivated to fill in the gap, to remind Gen Z’s/Millennials that laughing truly is the medicine of life and bladder control is overrated. As grown women and filmmakers, we've drawn from our own (crazy) experiences to create The Drop, a whacky female-led buddy comedy we're proud to add to the canon,” said Pagliarello and Evelyna.
“From the initial pitch meeting, we knew that partnering with Dani and Aisha on this project was a no-brainer for us. Narcity is beyond thrilled to be a part of publishing a series, produced by incredible Canadian talent, that finds itself at the intersection of pop culture trends, influencers, and the quirky world of line-waiters,” said Jackie Vandinther, Senior Producer of Video and Social at Narcity Media Group. “We're especially inspired and motivated by The Drop's commitment to empowering a team of diverse Canadian actors and production staff, with a special focus on amplifying the profile and voices of female creatives of colour and local Toronto talent.”
Created, written, and directed by Pagliarello and Evelyna, who also serve as producers of the series, THE DROP is produced by Elizabeth Yake, True West Films, with Executive Producer Liz Whitmere. Jordan Canning (Schitt’s Creek, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock) serves as director for Episode 1.
THE DROP went to camera with the financial support of True West Films, Ontario Creates, the Independent Production Fund, and Narcity Media Group.
About Dani Pagliarello
A comedian, series creator, and director, Dani Pagliarello graduated from York University’s Acting Conservatory and has performed in a number of television series and feature films, including The Handmaid’s Tale and Luckiest Girl Alive. She has written, directed, produced, starred in, and is the showrunner of three comedy series: Food n’ Money, Shitty Roommate, and The Drop (a finalist in the Just for Laughs pitch competition.) An alum of Women in the Director’s Chair (WIDC), Dani is currently developing her three-wheel wagon-ride of a show Trauma Bonding, and her politically charged comedy O-Town.
About Aisha Evelyna
An actor, writer, and director passionate about bringing stories of the underrepresented to the forefront of our social consciousness, Aisha Evelyna’s recent film and TV appearances include Rabbit Hole and Slo Pitch. Co-creator of The Drop, Aisha is also developing the limited series Sally with Warner Brothers Canada as an alum of the 2022 Canadian Academy’s Writers Program. Her debut feature drama, Seahorse, is a 2022 Telefilm Talent To Watch Fund recipient and a 2021 Whistler Film Festival Screenwriters Lab participant, and the short film she directed, ALEX, premiered at Holly Shorts and was an Official Selection at the Austin Film Festival.
About True West Films
Established in 2002 on the west coast of Canada and now based in Toronto, True West Films have been nominated for 19 Canadian Screen Awards, with all of their dramatic features and shorts having premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. Helmed by producer Elizabeth Yake, True West Films focuses on developing international film and TV projects and structuring financing for treaty coproductions.
About Narcity Media Group
Narcity Media Group is a leading digital media company in Canada, providing engaging content and resources for local communities. With a focus on cities and the people who live in them, Narcity Media Group connects audiences with their local communities and delivers the stories and experiences that matter most to them.