IFC today announced details and guest stars for Season 7 of the Emmy-nominated comedy Portlandia, premiering on Thursday, January 5 at 10PM. Season 7 will consist of 10 half-hour episodes and marks the television directorial debut of both Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. Created by Armisen, Brownstein and Jonathan Krisel, Portlandia explores the eccentric misfits who embody the foibles of modern culture. The series is executive produced by Lorne Michaels and produced by Broadway Video.
This season, the series returns to its sketch-driven roots as characters find themselves in all-too-relatable situations: Fred and Carrie attempt to become storytelling experts to impress friends at a dinner party; the Goth couple discover the wonders of Bed Bath and Beyond; Toni and Candace retire from the feminist bookstore and contemplate what's next for their lives; Carrie dates a hunk; Fred tries to start his own Portland-based cell phone company; and much more.
New guest stars coming to Portlandia in Season 7 include (in alphabetical order) Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite, Adventure Time), Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live, Inside Amy Schumer), Ana Fabrega (Boy Band, The Special Without Brett Davis), John Early (Search Party, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising), Judy Greer (Archer, Married), Portland's Mayor Charlie Hales, Ryan Hansen (2 Broke Girls, Central Intelligence), Tim Heidecker (Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories, Decker) Abbi Jacobson (Broad City, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising), pro-basketball player Damian Lillard, Laurie Metcalf (Getting On, The McCarthys), Megan Neuringer (Kroll Show, Comedy Bang! Bang!), musicians El-P and Killer Mike of Run the Jewels, musicians Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, and Cindy Wilson of The B-52's, Linda Ramone, Sam Richardson (Veep, The Office), Andy Richter (Conan), model Cameron Russell, and Jessica St. Clair (Review, Enough Said).
Returning guest stars include Vanessa Bayer (Saturday Night Live, Trainwreck), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire, Horace and Pete), Mitchell Hurwitz (Arrested Development, Lady Dynamite), John Levenstein (Kroll Show, Silicon Valley), Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is the New Black, Hello, My Name is Doris), Portlandia's Mayor Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), and Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates). Portlandia was renewed for Season 6 and Season 7 two years ago by IFC. It hasn't been confirmed if the series has an end date mapped out, or if IFC has plans to renew Portlandia for even more seasons.
In addition to their role as creators, Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein and Jonathan Krisel serve as writers and executive producers of Portlandia, along with co-executive producer Graham Wagner. Broadway Video's Andrew Singer is also an executive producer. Veteran director Jonathan Krisel is joined this season by guest directors Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, Alice Mathias, Steve Buscemi, and Bill Benz. Portlandia is shot entirely on location in Portland, Oregon. Portlandia seasons 1-6 are available now on Netflix and iTunes. IFC is the home of offbeat, unexpected comedies. Original series Portlandia, Documentary Now!, Stan Against Evil and the upcoming Brockmire (April 2017) air alongside fan-favorite movies and comedic cult TV shows. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., and available across multiple platforms. IFC is Always On Slightly Off.