Corporate burnout finally has its own animated series, and it’s coming straight from the mind that gave us Apple & Onion. At Annecy 2026, creator George Gendi pulled back the curtain on Living the Dream, Netflix’s new adult animated comedy — and the backstory behind it is almost funnier than the show itself.
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From Kids’ Cartoon to Corporate Satire
Gendi’s journey here started at Cartoon Network with Apple & Onion, a kids’ show that slowly got dark enough that executives joked it was “two jokes away from an adult show.” When Warner Bros. Animation passed on a third season, they instead offered Gendi something bigger: full creative freedom to build an adult show from scratch, set entirely in the UK.
That freedom led to Living the Dream — described by Gendi as a spiritual successor to his earlier work, just dressed in office attire instead of cartoon whimsy.
What’s Netflix Show About?
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Studio | Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe |
| Creator | George Gendi |
| Setting | London, fictional company “Ecofood” |
| Lead Characters | Ray (Gendi) and Des (Javone Prince) |
| Episode Count | 8 episodes |
| Tone | British, observational, deadpan |
The story follows Ray and Des, two low-level “Impact Champions” stuck navigating Ecofood’s social media team. Their stressed UK manager Anne is desperate to impress her dismissive American boss, Scott — rounded out by an eccentric cast including a posh, insecure sales duo and an overly cheerful HR rep.
The Boss Who’s Based on a Real Executive
Here’s where things get genuinely wild. Scott, the American executive in the show, is directly modeled on real-life Warner Bros. Animation President Sam Register — who reportedly signed a likeness agreement and was in the audience when Gendi revealed it. Even the character’s exaggerated nose was inspired by how Register looked on Zoom calls from below.
It’s a rare, almost meta moment of an executive willingly letting himself become the punchline of his own studio’s show.
Why It Could Work
Gendi’s approach leans heavily on lived experience — drawing from real corporate culture clichés, like hollow “we care about you” emails followed by sudden layoffs. Rather than scripting jokes traditionally, he records every character’s dialogue himself first, creating a “radio play” that storyboard artists then animate around. The goal is humor rooted in quiet desperation rather than punchlines — something closer to British sitcoms than typical adult animation.
This style mirrors a long tradition in British sitcoms built around mundane, relatable misery turned into comedy gold.
For more behind-the-scenes reveals from Annecy and upcoming Netflix animation news, check out TechnoSports for ongoing coverage.
Final Thoughts
Living the Dream isn’t trying to reinvent adult animation — it’s leaning into something more grounded: the quiet absurdity of modern office life. With a creator unusually candid about his process and a premise rooted in real corporate scars, this one’s worth keeping an eye on.
FAQs
Q1: Is Living the Dream connected to Apple & Onion?
Yes, creator George Gendi describes it as a spiritual successor with a similar comedic tone, now aimed at adults.
Q2: How many episodes will Living the Dream have?
The series consists of 8 episodes, with no fixed runtime per episode since it’s a Netflix production.
