NBC is looking to expand the DC Comics universe by focusing on the non-superheroes in it. Deadline reports that the network has ordered a pilot for Powerless, a half-hour comedy about insurance workers with superpower envy. The show comes from Ben Queen, who previously worked on A To Z, that failed comedy about two regular people attempting the superhuman feat of dating without resorting to using Tinder.
Powerless will reportedly combine the mockumentary style of The Office with the boring office setting of The Office while examining the “reality of working life for a normal, powerless person in a world of superheroes and villains.” The premise—which has Dwight Schrute and Rainn Wilson written all over it—involves boring regular folk who spend their time wishing they were incredibly powerful rather than doing their jobs, which could explain why the insurance claim process is so slow.
The DC heroes who will be on the periphery haven’t been announced, but Deadline says Batman and Superman aren’t likely to appear. The insurance office characters will probably be made up for the show, because that particular industry has been neglected by DC Comics writers. If that fails, the show’s writers could just force a career change on some people from The Daily Planet or S.T.A.R. Labs.