Second City screen-bound through LA firm partnership

The Second City is partnering with Beverly Hills-based management and production company Thruline Entertainment/Tagline Pictures to create new TV shows and movies centered on its considerable talent pool.

“This partnership allows us to offer developing talent our experience, as well as Thruline’s management expertise and resources,” says Andrew Alexander, Second City’s CEO/EP.

In addition to developing original content with Tagline (Comedy Central’s The Burn With Jeff Ross, USA’s since-concluded Psych), Second City will draw on Thruline’s experience as a management company.

Its famous alumni include Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Adam McKay, John Belushi, Bill Murray and Keegan-Michael Key.

For its part, Thruline will have prime access to The Second City’s most promising trainees. It has more than 11,000 students enrolled annually across its Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles facilities.

Thruline already reps several Second City alums, including Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet.

“Andrew and his team have an unprecedented track record in identifying and training some of the best comedy talent in all of entertainment,” said the Thruline/Tagline partners in a joint statement.

“As producers of original content, this partnership will provide a deep reservoir of ideas and creators around which to build future development slates,” they added.

“The scope of their operation is so impressive, but so is the remarkable care and attention they pay to their casts, students and alumni. We are honored to be a part of that tradition going forward.”

Second City previously had first-look deals with NBC Universal TV Studios and CBS Paramount Network TV.