Benito Skinner’s ‘Overcompensating’ Lands Series Order At Prime Video

Prime Video has handed a series order to Benito Skinner’s Overcompensating. The series, which has been in development at Amazon since November 2022, hails from Skinner, who also stars, Jonah Hill’s Strong Baby productions and A24. English singer-songwriter Charli XCX will produce original music for the series, which is co-produced by A24 and Amazon MGM Studios.

Created by Skinner inspired by his life, Overcompensating is a college-set ensemble comedy about the wild, chaotic journey of Benny (Skinner), a closeted former football player and homecoming king, as he becomes fast friends with Carmen, a high school outsider on a mission to fit in at all costs. With guidance from Benny’s older sister and her campus-legend boyfriend, Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka, and fake IDs. Deeply funny and personal, the show explores the lengths to which we all overcompensate while on the path to finding out who we really are.

Skinner writes and executive produces with Hill, Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin of Strong Baby. Charli XCX will serve as executive music producer. The series will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

“The moment we heard this story from Benny, we knew it was an irresistible, bold story that would captivate and inspire our global Prime Video customers,” said Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly owned development, Amazon MGM Studios. “We look forward to Benito’s laugh-out-loud series coming to life with original music from Charli XCX and all the talented teams involved at A24 and Strong Baby who consistently deliver beautifully executed storytelling.”

Skinner can be recognized from his viral characters and sketches under the name Benny Drama, where he has collaborated with Jennifer Aniston, Kourtney Kardashian, Drew Barrymore, and others. One of Variety’s “Comics to Watch,” he will next be seen co-starring alongside Chelsea Peretti, Amy Poehler, Kate Berlant, and Meg Stalter in the feature film First Time Female Director. Skinner also recently completed a nationwide live-theater tour of his podcast, Ride, alongside co-host Mary Beth Barone. Other television appearances include Queer as Folk and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

“I am so honored and excited to be partnering with Prime Video, A24, and Strong Baby to bring you Overcompensating,” said Skinner. “I wrote this pilot four years ago in an attempt to make people laugh, feel a little less alone, and maybe to work through some residual college trauma. Since then, the project has found the perfect partners and we are all so excited for people to see this show we love so much. I also want to thank Charli XCX for not being freaked out when I asked her if she would do the music before even introducing myself. Highly recommend! Mom and Dad… I’m going back to college!”

Skinner is repped by WME and Entertainment 360.