HBO Adds Bill Hader And 'Barry' To Pipeline

Time Warner Inc TWX's HBO comedy division continues to lure top talent as on Thursday the network gave the greenlight to "Barry," a new laugher starring former "Saturday Night Live" talent Bill Hader.

The series follows a depressed ex-marine turned low-rent hitman who takes up residence in Los Angeles only to finally find friends in theater scene. In addition to Hader, comic-icon Henry Winkler and comedy journeyman Stephen Root will co-star.

"Barry" pickup further solidifies HBO's future in the comedy division, which is riding a high right now thanks to "Ballers," "Silicon Valley" and reigning Emmy champ for Best Comedy "Veep." HBO recently also gave the go-ahead to Judd Apatow's "Crashing," which also has a eye on a 2017 premiere.

In terms of this year, the network will debut the highly anticipated Sarah Jessica Parker led comedy "Divorce" in the fall and limited series comedy "Vice Principals" with Danny McBride and Walton Goggins in the summer.