The team behind the award-winning comedy series Hacks is growing. Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs, the married co-creators of the hit HBO show, have brought in a new leader to help them find and develop more television projects. They have hired Tara Dorfman to serve as the Head of Television Development at their production company, Paulilu Productions.
The news is the latest move for a production company that is clearly looking to build on its success. Paulilu, which was started by Aniello and Downs back in 2007, is known for creating character-driven comedy. With the massive success of Hacks and a growing list of credits, the couple is now expanding their team to handle more work.
Tara Dorfman will work directly with Aniello and Downs. Her job will be to find new ideas, help develop them, and oversee the production of new shows across different genres. This hiring shows that Paulilu Productions wants to do more than just comedy, even though that is where they made their name.
A Partnership Built on Years of Trust
The relationship between Tara Dorfman and the Hacks creators is not new. Dorfman first met Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs while she was working on the third season of Broad City. That Comedy Central series was a big deal for the Paulilu team because it helped them build their reputation in television before Hacks came along.
The three of them have known each other for a long time, which made the decision to work together feel natural. In a joint statement about the new hire, Aniello and Downs made it clear why they wanted Dorfman on their team.
“Tara has impeccable taste in comedy and we couldn’t be more excited to build something special together,” said Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs.
Tara Dorfman also shared her excitement about joining the company. She talked about her history with the creative couple and why this opportunity feels special to her.
“Getting to work with people who care about the same things I do feels very special, and I’m excited to help them build on what they’ve created.”
Dorfman described Aniello and Downs as “the ultimate trifecta — smart, funny, and thoughtful.” She noted that they have been in each other’s orbit for a long time, so coming together in this way is especially meaningful.
Tara Dorfman Brings Experience From CAA and International Projects
Before joining Paulilu Productions, Tara Dorfman was working as an independent producer. During that time, she was building an interesting international comedy project. She partnered with Australia’s Easy Tiger Productions to create an incubator for comedy between the United States and Australia.
That work led to collaborations on several notable shows. She worked on Colin from Accounts for Paramount+, Territory for Netflix, and Optics for the Australian ABC. These projects show that Dorfman has a clear sense of what makes comedy work for different audiences in different markets.
Prior to working independently, Dorfman spent nearly eight years at Creative Artists Agency, one of the largest talent agencies in Hollywood. From February 2016 to May 2023, she worked as a scripted television and comedy agent. At CAA, she represented stand-up comedians, writers, directors, and producers.
Her time at the agency gave her a deep understanding of the needs of performers and creators who come from stand-up backgrounds. That experience is very valuable for a company like Paulilu, which focuses on character-driven comedy. In 2018, Dorfman was also recognized by Forbes on their “30 Under 30 in Entertainment” list.
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The Growth of Paulilu Productions
Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs first launched Paulilu Productions in 2007. The name of the company combines their first names, Paul and Lucia. They met in New York City at the Upright Citizens Brigade when they were both level one improv students. That background in improv and sketch comedy has shaped everything they have made since then.
The couple is married, so their work life and personal life are closely connected. They co-create, co-write, co-direct, and co-showrun their projects together. As their business grows, they need someone like Tara Dorfman to take charge of the development side so they can focus on creating.
Paulilu Productions is best known for Hacks, the HBO series starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. The show has earned multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series. The company also created the television version of The Baby-Sitters Club for Netflix.
The production company has an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. This means all new projects developed by Paulilu will be made under that agreement. With Tara Dorfman now leading television development, the company is ready to take on more projects across different genres. The combination of creative talent and a business structure puts them in a good position to expand their presence in television.
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