Adam Pally, the actor best known for his roles in Happy Endings and The Mindy Project, has found his next major television project. He will star as the lead in The Sanctuary, an upcoming comedy series filming in New Zealand. The eight-episode show comes from Kiwi creators Joseph Moore and Laura Daniel and has already secured a broadcast deal with Sky’s Three network and its streaming service, ThreeNow.
The casting news gives fans of Pally’s fast-talking, comedic style something to look forward to. He will play a character that fits perfectly with his brand of humorโa wealthy American getting himself into ridiculous situations far from home.
Who Is Adam Pally? A Look at the Actor’s Career
For those who may not recognize the name immediately, Adam Pally has been a consistent presence in television comedy for over a decade. He first gained widespread attention as Max Blum on the cult favorite sitcom Happy Endings, which ran for three seasons on ABC. His character, a sarcastic and unemployed slacker, became a fan favorite and showcased his ability to deliver rapid-fire jokes with perfect timing.
After Happy Endings ended, Pally joined the cast of The Mindy Project as Peter Prentice, a role that further cemented his reputation as a reliable comedic actor. He has since appeared in numerous other series, including Making History, Indebted, and more recently, the Peacock comedy Mr. Throwback, where he starred opposite NBA legend Stephen Curry and Ego Nwodim. He also had a role in the Netflix action series FUBAR, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Beyond live-action television, Pally has voiced characters in major franchises. He is part of the Sonic the Hedgehog film universe, appearing in the movies and voicing a character in the Paramount+ spin-off series Knuckles. His filmography also includes big-screen comedies like Iron Man 3, Dirty Grandpa, and The Little Hours.
Pally also stays busy behind the scenes. He served as an executive producer on Comedy Central’s The President Show and co-hosts the podcast Staying Alive with Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally under the SmartLess Media umbrella.
What Is ‘The Sanctuary’ About? Plot Details Revealed
The Sanctuary places Adam Pally in a situation that sounds both ridiculous and promising for comedy. He will play an eccentric American billionaire hiding from the law in New Zealand. The character finds himself in legal trouble after selling what he thought was a harmless app, only to discover it was purchased by a Russian-affiliated private military company that plans to use it as a weapon.
Now caught between the FBI, Russian assassins, and something entirely unexpectedโNew Zealand’s passionate bird conservationistsโhe has to think fast. His solution to avoid extradition is to convert his luxury private island into an official Department of Conservation sanctuary. The premise sets up plenty of opportunities for fish-out-of-water comedy as a self-centered wealthy American tries to navigate the world of environmental protection while staying one step ahead of the law.
The series is created by Joseph Moore and Laura Daniel, a writing duo from New Zealand with comedy backgrounds. Their involvement suggests the show will have an authentic Kiwi voice mixed with the American sensibility Pally brings to the lead role.
Production Team and Broadcasting Details
The Sanctuary comes from Kevin & Co., a New Zealand production company known for working on Taskmaster NZ. The show received funding in a recent NZ On Air round, which supports local content production.
The series has been greenlit for eight episodes. It will air in New Zealand on Sky’s Three network, a free-to-air channel, and will also be available for streaming on ThreeNow. This gives Kiwi audiences easy access to the show when it eventually releases.
Early reports from late 2024 mentioned that L.A.-based Happy Accidents and Warner Bros. Discovery’s New Zealand division were involved as producers. However, updated information from Variety published on February 23, 2026, clarifies that these companies are no longer involved with the project. The current production team consists solely of Kevin & Co. and Sky.
Where Can International Audiences Watch ‘The Sanctuary’?
This is the big question for fans outside New Zealand. As of now, no international distribution deals have been announced. There is no information about when or where the series will be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or India.
For viewers in the USA and UK, this means waiting for a streaming service or network to pick up the rights. Given Adam Pally’s recognition from Happy Endings and his work with Netflix, Peacock, and HBO, it is likely that an international distributor will eventually acquire the show. But at this stage, nothing is confirmed.
Australian viewers are geographically close to New Zealand and have historically shared content through local broadcasters, but no deal has been announced there either. Indian audiences may have to rely on international streaming platforms if the show gets picked up by a global service like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
What This Role Means for Adam Pally
Taking the lead in The Sanctuary represents another step in Pally’s career as he continues to work across different formats and regions. Filming in New Zealand means relocating for production, which shows his commitment to the project. The character of a billionaire on the run allows him to play someone with money and privilege, but the setting strips away that comfort and forces him into awkward situationsโa formula that has worked well for him in the past.
His recent work includes the HBO comedy special An Intimate Evening With Adam Pally, which released in October 2025. He also has major projects lined up, including a role in Sam Mendes’ ambitious The Beatles โ A Four-Film Cinematic Event, where he will play controversial Beatles manager Allen Klein. He is also set to appear in the sci-fi dramedy O Horizon, as well as films titled Run and What the Fck Is My Password.
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When Will ‘The Sanctuary’ Release?
Production on The Sanctuary was expected to begin in early 2025 according to earlier reports. Since those reports date back to December 2024, filming may already be underway or even completed. However, no official release date has been set.
Given that the show has been picked up by Three and ThreeNow in New Zealand, it will likely premiere there first once post-production finishes. International audiences will probably have to wait longer while distribution deals are negotiated.
Fans of Adam Pally and quirky comedy series should keep an eye on announcements from Sky New Zealand and Kevin & Co. for updates. The combination of a ridiculous premise, a talented comedic lead, and Kiwi creators makes The Sanctuary one to watch for when more information becomes available.
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