In a streaming landscape crowded with dramas and reality TV, Netflix’s newest sitcom Leanne has burst onto the scene like a Southern-fried firecracker, sparking buzz that it could be “the next Big Bang Theory.” Launched on July 31, 2025, the multi-camera comedy, helmed by comedy titan Chuck Lorre, stars Tennessee stand-up sensation Leanne Morgan as a grandmother navigating life after her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. With sitcom veterans like Ryan Stiles and Kristen Johnston delivering laughs, the show’s 16-episode first season has fans hooked, earning a swift renewal for Season 2 in September 2025. Yet, amid the star power, it’s a fresh face—Hannah Pilkes as Leanne’s free-spirited daughter Josie—who’s stealing scenes, hearts, and the spotlight, emerging as the breakout star of 2025. As Leanne garners comparisons to Lorre’s iconic The Big Bang Theory, this article dives into its meteoric rise, the cast’s electric chemistry, Pilkes’ unexpected ascent, and why this sitcom is Netflix’s boldest gamble yet.

A Chuck Lorre Masterpiece: The Making of Leanne

Chuck Lorre, the mastermind behind The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, and The Kominsky Method, has a knack for crafting sitcoms that balance heart and hilarity. Leanne, co-created with Susan McMartin and star Leanne Morgan, is his latest triumph. Inspired by Morgan’s 2023 Netflix special I’m Every Woman, which racked up millions of views, the series taps into her relatable, Southern-flavored humor. “I can’t believe it has come true!” Morgan told What’s on Netflix in April 2024, reflecting on her dream of starring in a sitcom. “I’m a grandmama from Tennessee, and now I have a TV show with Chuck Lorre and Netflix. What in the world!?”

Set in Knoxville, Tennessee, Leanne follows its titular character (Morgan), a menopausal grandmother whose world implodes when her husband, Bill (Ryan Stiles), leaves her via email for a younger woman. With her “ride-or-die” sister Carol (Kristen Johnston), sharp-tongued parents Mama Margaret (Celia Weston) and Daddy John (Blake Clark), and adult children Tyler (Graham Rogers) and Josie (Hannah Pilkes), Leanne navigates her new reality with grace, dignity, and a side of jello salad. The 16 episodes, each a brisk 18–24 minutes, blend multi-camera sitcom energy with Morgan’s observational wit, tackling aging, family, and reinvention. “People want authenticity,” Morgan told TIME in July 2025. “That’s my advantage.”

Filmed before a live studio audience, Leanne evokes the warm, nostalgic feel of Reba and Roseanne, with Lorre’s signature polish. Its July 31 premiere dropped all 16 episodes on Netflix, a bold move for a multi-cam sitcom in a streaming era dominated by single-camera dramedies. Yet, the gamble paid off. Leanne hit Netflix’s Top 10, with fans on X declaring it “the comfort comedy we needed” and critics like Entertainment Weekly praising its “throwback feel” that “reminds you of simpler times.”

The Cast: A Comedy Dream Team

Leanne boasts a stacked ensemble, blending sitcom royalty with rising talent. Leanne Morgan, 59, anchors the show as a fictionalized version of herself. A Tennessee native who started comedy at 32, Morgan’s journey from door-to-door jewelry saleswoman to Netflix star is as inspiring as her character’s. Her 2023 special I’m Every Woman and 2024 memoir What in the World?! made her a household name, and her role in You’re Cordially Invited alongside Reese Witherspoon proved her acting chops. “Leanne’s basically me, minus the divorce,” she told Glamour. “I bring my mama humor to every scene.”

Kristen Johnston, a two-time Emmy winner for 3rd Rock from the Sun, plays Carol, Leanne’s twice-divorced, bar-hopping sister. Her brassy delivery and fierce loyalty make Carol a fan favorite. “Kristen’s a comedic force,” Lorre told Variety. “She elevates every line.” Blake Clark (Toy Story 3’s Slinky Dog) and Celia Weston (Modern Family) shine as Daddy John and Mama Margaret, delivering dry wit and old-school wisdom. Ryan Stiles, a Whose Line Is It Anyway? legend, plays Bill, the estranged husband whose RV empire adds irony to his betrayal. “Ryan’s timing is impeccable,” Morgan said on The One Show. “He makes you love and hate Bill at the same time.”

Graham Rogers (Ray Donovan) as Tyler, Leanne’s married son with a newborn, brings grounded charm, while recurring players like Jayma Mays (as neighbor Mary) and Tim Daly (as Leanne’s love interest Andrew) add depth. But it’s Hannah Pilkes, as Josie, who’s stealing the show, emerging as the breakout star fans can’t stop talking about.

Hannah Pilkes: The Breakout Star of 2025

At 30, Hannah Pilkes is the unexpected heart of Leanne, playing Josie Murphy, Leanne’s free-spirited, 30-year-old daughter who’s as quirky as she is lovable. A comedian and actress with roots in improv and social media, Pilkes was relatively unknown before Leanne, with credits in short films and viral TikTok sketches. Her casting, announced in December 2024, was a risk—Lorre called her “a wild card” in a Primetimer interview—but her performance has fans buzzing. “Hannah Pilkes is the secret weapon of Leanne,” one X post raved. “She’s stealing every scene!”

Josie, a bohemian artist who lives in a van and dabbles in crystal healing, brings chaotic energy to the show. In Episode 1, “The Important Stuff,” she reacts to her father’s betrayal with a mix of shock and humor, telling Leanne, “Dad’s midlife crisis is giving us a crisis!” Her physical comedy—think pratfalls during a church potluck or a botched yoga session—pairs with heartfelt moments, like when she comforts Leanne with a ukulele serenade. Critics praise Pilkes’ ability to “toggle between zany and tender,” with Screen Rant noting, “She’s the emotional glue of the family, and Pilkes makes it look effortless.”

Pilkes’ background in improv, honed at Upright Citizens Brigade, shines through. “I just go for it,” she told Soap Central in August 2025. “Josie’s a mess, but she’s our mess.” Her chemistry with Morgan is electric, especially in scenes where Josie’s idealism clashes with Leanne’s pragmatism. Fans on Reddit have dubbed her “the new Penny” (from The Big Bang Theory), with one user writing, “Hannah Pilkes is carrying Leanne—she’s the breakout star we didn’t see coming.” Her social media following has surged, with 200,000 new Instagram followers since the premiere, and TikTok edits of her scenes have millions of views.

Why Leanne Is Netflix’s Biggest Sitcom Gamble

Leanne is a bold bet for Netflix, a platform known for edgy dramedies like The OA and Beef. Multi-camera sitcoms, with their live audiences and laugh tracks, are a rarity in streaming, where single-camera shows dominate. Lorre, who revolutionized the format with The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019), took a risk with Leanne’s traditional setup. “Streaming audiences want quick laughs, but they also want heart,” he told TVLine. “Leanne delivers both.”

The show’s 16-episode order, costing an estimated $40 million, was a gamble, especially with Morgan as an untested TV lead. Yet, her authenticity—honed through years of stand-up—resonates. “People want to learn who somebody really is,” she told TIME. “I’m glad I broke out in my 50s when I’m too tired to do something awful.” The show’s Knoxville setting, filmed in Los Angeles, adds a Southern charm that sets it apart from urban-centric sitcoms like Friends. Its themes—divorce, aging, family—feel universal, with fans on X posting, “Leanne is like Reba for 2025—so real, so funny.”

The gamble paid off. Leanne’s 7.1/10 IMDb rating and 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes reflect its appeal, with critics praising its “lighthearted and gentle” vibe. Its renewal for Season 2, announced September 9, 2025, confirms Netflix’s faith, with Morgan tweeting, “Y’all did this! Thank you for loving Leanne!” Comparisons to The Big Bang Theory stem from its ensemble chemistry and Lorre’s knack for turning quirky characters into cultural icons.

Cultural Impact and Fan Frenzy

Leanne has tapped into a 2025 hunger for comfort viewing, much like The Lost City’s streaming success or Katie Piper’s empowering story. Its multi-cam format evokes nostalgia, with fans on Reddit calling it “a hug in TV form.” The show’s humor—think Leanne’s jello salad obsession or Carol’s drunken karaoke—avoids politics, offering a respite from divisive headlines. “A simple show that doesn’t get political,” a user review on IMDb noted.

Pilkes’ breakout status has fueled the buzz. Her viral moments, like Josie’s “I’m spiritually unemployed” line, have spawned memes and TikTok trends, with #LeanneVibes trending. “Hannah Pilkes is the reason I binged Leanne,” one X post read, liked 10,000 times. Morgan’s Southern sass, paired with Stiles’ deadpan delivery, also resonates, with fans sharing GIFs of Bill’s awkward RV sales pitches. The show’s church potlucks and family dinners evoke a universal warmth, with one fan tweeting, “Leanne feels like Sunday supper at my grandma’s.”

Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Triumphs

Producing Leanne wasn’t without hurdles. Morgan, a sitcom novice, admitted to nerves in early episodes. “The first one’s clunky,” a fan review noted, but “by Episode 2, she’s a natural.” Filming before a live audience, a rarity for Netflix, required adjustment, but director James Widdoes (Two and a Half Men) kept the energy high. The 16-episode order, shot over six months in 2024, was a logistical feat, with Lorre balancing authenticity and polish. “Leanne’s voice is the heart,” he told Parade.

Pilkes’ casting was a stroke of luck. Spotted in a comedy sketch, she auditioned against bigger names but won Lorre over with her improv skills. “Hannah’s fearless,” Johnston told Soap Central. “She’s the spark we didn’t know we needed.” The ensemble’s chemistry, honed through table reads and off-set bonding, mirrors The Big Bang Theory’s early days, with Stiles and Johnston mentoring younger actors like Pilkes and Rogers.

Why You Should Watch

Leanne is a 5-hour binge of pure joy, blending Reba’s heart with The Big Bang Theory’s laughs. Morgan’s warmth, Stiles’ wit, and Pilkes’ chaotic charm make every episode a delight. At 18–24 minutes, it’s perfect for a cozy night, with Keb’ Mo’s bluesy theme song setting the tone. From Josie’s ukulele solos to Carol’s bar fights, the show balances slapstick and soul, with Episode 16’s beach getaway earning an 8.6/10 on IMDb for its emotional punch.

For fans of The OA’s heartfelt storytelling or One Battle After Another’s bold humor, Leanne offers a lighter escape. Its Southern setting and family focus make it unique, while Pilkes’ breakout role signals a star on the rise. “Hannah Pilkes is the next big thing,” a Reddit thread predicted. “She’s carrying Leanne into Season 2.”

The Future of Leanne

With Season 2 confirmed, Leanne is poised to cement its legacy. No release date is set, but fans expect a 2026 drop, with Morgan hinting at “bigger laughs and messier family drama” on X. Pilkes’ rising fame could shape the show, with rumors of a Josie-centric spin-off circulating on Reddit. “If Hannah Pilkes isn’t a household name by next year, I’ll eat my jello salad,” one fan posted.

As Netflix’s boldest sitcom gamble, Leanne proves multi-cam comedy thrives in the streaming age. So grab a snack, stream it on Netflix, and meet Josie—the breakout star stealing hearts and maybe the future of the series. In 2025, Leanne is the comfort comedy you didn’t know you needed, and it’s only getting started.