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Stand-up comic, writer and director Ellyn Daniels stars in new series filmed in Raleigh.
“I’ve found Raleigh to be a really rejuvenating place—somewhere I could be creative, where I could write or perform stand-up at Goodnights. I just loved being there.” So says Ellyn Daniels, who is neither a native nor current resident of Raleigh… she’s just a big fan (!).
Calling the City of Oaks home for about 18 months during the pandemic, Daniels penned, directed and now stars in a production titled This Little Show of Mine, which originally dropped episode 1 on YouTube before catapulting to Apple TV and Amazon Prime. Filmed in Raleigh, the series follows a “kinda famous but not really” former sitcom star, Hayley Harris, who returns to her hometown in the wake of her mom’s death to attempt to find the artistic inspiration to create a one-woman show.
You’ll be able to recognize local gems and landmarks throughout the series as Daniels’ character strolls down Hillsborough Street past Jubala Coffee, visits the Carolina Ballet (fun fact: Daniels is close friends with Carolina Ballet’s Zalman Raffael), overlooks Boylan Bridge or roams around her house nestled in Cameron Park. … And while Daniels would’ve loved to see Hayley hitting up the DTR nightlife scene and taking the stage at Goodnights or Duke Energy Center, filming during 2020 meant working with a more limited selection of settings (but maybe we can contend to see those spots in a second season?!).
To boot, a handful of the actors featured in the series aren’t TV actors at all. From stand-up comics to local business owners, the show includes myriad cast members who “were available and wanted to do it,” laughs Daniels—and most of the faces you’ll find on camera are locals.
“I hope people find it funny, entertaining and potentially moving—depending on their life experience,” she says. “It’s a funny, small and interesting show.”
After her stint in Raleigh, Daniels moved to London and now resides there with her husband. The duo’s production company, Burn These Words, will be debuting a film titled Reality starring Sydney Sweeney at the Berlin International Film Festival this year. Daniels is also currently working on another series, The Mentor, and expecting her third baby in May.
While her stay in our city was short, Daniels liked Raleigh life so much that she’d planned to make it her home base before meeting her other half and moving across the pond.
“Raleigh life is very digestible—it’s just the right size,” says Daniels. “Time expands there, and there’s an appetite for cool things.”… And speaking of cool things, you’re gonna wanna peep Daniels’ perspective of the City of Oaks by streaming This Little Show of Mine—or just for a good laugh. thislittleshowofmine.com
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