Stephanie Hsu Takes the Lead in Peacock’s Comedy LAID– Official Teaser Released Ahead of December Premiere

Peacock has just dropped the first teaser and premiere date for its upcoming twisted romantic comedy LAID, with Oscar-nominated actress Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Girls alum Zosia Mamet. Set to drop all eight episodes on Thursday, December 19, 2024, the series promises a dark and hilarious take on romance and self-discovery.

A Dark Twist on the Classic Rom-Com

From creators Nahnatchka Khan (Fresh Off the Boat) and Sally Bradford McKenna (The Mick), LAID remixes the classic rom-com formula with a morbid twist. The series centers around Ruby, played by Hsu, who reconnects with her one-time lovers in an unfortunate, unusual, and mysterious succession of sudden deaths. With the body count rising, Ruby is forced to revisit her past romances and casual flings in a desperate attempt to find out what’s wrong with her. Thus, an inward-looking journey of comic self-examination ensues.

Described as a “f*cked-up rom-com,” *LAID* is a story of love and death that parses pretty disagreeable results of one’s decisions. Co-showrunners and executive producers Khan and McKenna aimed to reinvent the wheel with romantic comedies. “We wanted to bring back the old-school, traditional romantic comedy, but with a twist. It’s optimistic and heartwarming, but it also has suspense, death, and blood,” explained the duo. The creators promise a mashup of classic rom-com charm with an edge of dark humor, ensuring LAID will be different amidst romance TV’s ever-changing landscape.

An All-Star Cast

The series stars Hsu and Mamet, alongside an avalanche of talent, including Michael Angarano and Tommy Martinez. Major guests have been listed as Andre Hyland, Olivia Holt, David Denman, Finneas O’Connell, Chloe Fineman, Ettore “Big E” Ewen, and John Early, ensuring there’s no shortage of unforgettable weirdos coming at viewers.

Mamet’s character, AJ, is Ruby’s sassy and supportive best friend who helps her unravel the mystery of her “cursed” love life. AJ helps Ruby map out her “sex timeline” and nudges her to go see the ghosts of one-night stands and exes she barely remembers to warn them of their doom.

LAID -- “More Handsome than Joe Jonas” Episode 106 -- Pictured: (l-r) Zosia Mamet as AJ, Michael Angarano as Richie, Stephanie Hsu as Ruby— (Photo by: James Dittiger/PEACOCK)

LAID -- “Brandon from College” Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Zosia Mamet as AJ, Stephanie Hsu as Ruby — (Photo by: James Dittiger/PEACOCK)

LAID -- “Brandon from College” Episode 101 -- Pictured: Stephanie Hsu as Ruby -- (Photo by: James Dittiger/PEACOCK)

LAID -- “Brandon from College” Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Finneas O'Connell as Jason, Stephanie Hsu as Ruby -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

LAID -- “FB to the T” Episode 102 -- Pictured: (l-r) Tommy Martinez as Isaac, Stephanie Hsu as Ruby -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

LAID -- “Sex Cluster” Episode 103 -- Pictured: Zosia Mamet as AJ -- (Photo by: James Dittiger/PEACOCK)

LAID -- “Secret Soft” Episode 105 -- Pictured: (l-r) Stephanie Hsu as Ruby, Zosia Mamet as AJ -- (Photo by: Jeff Weddell/PEACOCK)

LAID -- “More Handsome than Joe Jonas” Episode 106— Pictured: Stephanie Hsu as Ruby -- (Photo by: James Dittiger/PEACOCK)

LAID -- “More Handsome than Joe Jonas” Episode 106 -- Pictured: (l-r) Zosia Mamet as AJ, Stephanie Hsu as Ruby— (Photo by: James Dittiger/PEACOCK)

Production Team and Origins

Produced by Universal Television in association with Porchlight Films and All3Media International, the series is the creation of Khan and McKenna whose inimitable comic voices can be heard in LAID‘s premise and tone. The team is also executive produced by industry veterans including John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment, Stephanie Hsu, Jennifer Carreras, and MariHardy, Kirsty Fisher, and Liz Watts for Porchlight Films. With a great cast, a conceptually different storyline, and a very veteran production team, LAID has all the trappings of a standout entry in the rom-com genre. Its December premiere adds to Peacock’s growing roster of original comedies, each one surer than the last to solidify the streamer’s position as a destination for bold, genre-defying fare.

First Teaser and What to Expect

Peacock’s official teaser for LAID gives fans a taste of the show’s quirky tone, peppered with quick wit, outrageous situations, and, of course, climbing body counts. The teaser gives a nod to the mystery Ruby must solve while fighting her internal devils about love and relationships. Watch her face her exes, from the serious to the hardly recalled “Green Day Shirt,” as the show runs deep with dark humor mixed with heart.

The creators say it’s going to be a romantic comedy irrelevantly new to modern audiences. Khan and McKenna said, “It’s truly the love story for our times.” The absurdity in the premise, with the personal stake for Ruby, promises a mix of laugh-out-loud moments, suspense, and emotional depth.

Of course, with its provocative premise, A-list cast, and dark comedic tone, LAID shapes up to be a required watch for both rom-com and edgy television aficionados alike. Eight episodes await your eyeballs when the series drops on Peacock on December 19, 2024.