Pictures of the spinoff Pitch Perfect Peacock series, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin released today, reveal Modern Family alum Sarah Hyland will join the cast. The Pitch Perfect franchise began in 2012, and follows the intensity of a cappella groups at Barden University, a fictional college; it centers around a female-led a cappella group The Barden Bellas. The first film, which starred Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, received massive praise and critical success. The franchise followed up with two sequels: Pitch Perfect 2, which introduced actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld, and Pitch Perfect 3. The sequels did not perform as well as the original, with Pitch Perfect 3 receiving almost unanimous disappointment from critics.
The Peacock series, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin will star Adam Devine and is described by its executive producer Elizabeth Banks as “Loki meets Emily in Paris.” The actor will be reprising his role as Bumper Allen, a cocky leader of a rival a cappella group, The Treblemakers. Devine was featured in the first film and returned to the role in Pitch Perfect 2 as a supporting character, but he was written off for the third film. The show will center completely around Devine, and follow Bumper as he attempts to pursue a music career in Berlin, Germany.
Exclusive photos released today by People give even more insight into the upcoming series– including what to expect from Sarah Hyland’s character. From this first look, it seems as though Hyland might become Devine’s love interest in the series. Hyland will star alongside, Lera Bova, Jameela Jamil, and Flula Borg. Borg will reprise his role as Pieter Krämer, the antagonist from Pitch Perfect 2. See the photos below:
Could “Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin” Be The Franchise's Rebound?
Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin was pitched and created by Elizabeth Banks, who appeared in all the films and directed the second. Banks’ intention for the series was to create a show that could "live on its own'' instead of a typical spinoff. This could be possible with Devine as its leading character. Though Bumper was a supporting character throughout the original Pitch Perfect film franchise, he was a fan favorite. What’s more, both Devine and Sarah Hyland have previous chemistry from their time playing Andy Bailey and Haley Dunphey, the Modern Family couple that most fans rooted for. If Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin establishes the two as a couple, it is a formula that has already been done well.
Spinoff shows are tricky, and typically don’t perform as well as their originals. Even with Banks’ hope to create a standalone show out of the Peacock series, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin will still have to please original Pitch Perfect audiences (including those who left because of disappointment in the sequels), and garner a new one to be truly successful. If they are able to do so remains to be seen. Audiences can find out on November 23, when Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin becomes available to stream on Peacock.
Source: People