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Burnt (half-hour pilot)
Burnt is a half-hour pilot black "charred" comedy television pilot written by Nicholl finalist Andrew Wankier. The episode follows the Ivy brothers as they struggle to navigate the world of their missing parents, while also assuming responsibility of the family business: a crematorium and mortuary called Ivy Gardens. Set in Wisconsin, the series deals with issues such as sibling rivalry, homosexuality, death, and crime.

Compared to The Righteous Gemstones, Six Feet Under, and Fargo, the show is conceptualized for cable or streaming, for networks such as HBO or Showtime.

Possible tagline include: the original cryptocurrency or dying to preserve the family business.

Premise
The Ivy family is the big cheese of the local Wisconsin death care industry - the only ones who can boast a crematorium. But when their mother and father suddenly vanish without a trace, the inexperienced and dysfunctional siblings must work against a secretive funeral director as they search for clues to their parents' whereabouts. The hunt soon stumbles them into their parents’ undisclosed world of crime. Inspired by real events.

Background
I worked in a morgue, and our family friends owned a mortuary. I’m from a family of sibling rivalry and closeted homosexualty. After the death of my father, I learned he was a cocaine dealer and that my mother worked as a burlesque dancer, which made me wonder what other secrets parents keep from their children.

Characters
Miles Ivy (30) - Recently lost his start-up company in Chicago. It’s his third venture to go under. He takes his missing parents as an opportunity to occupy the family home. Still unsure which direction to take, Miles hopes his Dog Show podcast, which provides unusual insights into the dog show circuit, might provide a solid revenue stream. He’s very into Star Trek, and like the show, suffers a lack of grounded reality. He hopes to sell the house to earn capital for his podcast and next business idea. He admits he doesn’t really know his younger brother very well, but his parents' absence has revealed subconscious resentment from their childhood - he thinks Jordan was babied. Miles is also in the closet about being gay, carrying “guilt” for being the older brother. He resents Jordan for his relationship with Lissy.

Jordan Ivy (25) - Pragmatic and needs almost everything, from vacations to relationships, outlined clearly. Unlike his brother, Jordan is burdened by sentimentality and wants to move into the family home to preserve the memory of his parents. Part of him recognizes that his parents being gone is a relief, as they constantly butted heads with his fiancé, Lissy. He’s a registered nurse who takes a leave-of-absence to search for his parents. Like Miles, this crisis has brought to light some childhood traumas with his parents, and mutual resentment with Miles. He thinks Miles abandoned him and was treated like a god because he was first-born. Jordan believes that, if his parents aren’t found, their inheritance can provide him with the resources to provide Lissy a nice, but practical, life.

Rue Fletcher (65) - The Ivy’s funeral director, and the most senior employee. She’s ready to retire but this missing Ivys has thrown a wrench into that plan. She’s familiar with the thievery that parents James-Dean and Paulette conducted behind closed doors. Although Jordan and Miles have known her to be chaotic neutral, her true caustic colors are revealed. She has shady connections and will stop at nothing to ensure her financial security, and she holds the most dangerous weapon anyone could have: confidence.

Lissy Davies (23) - Attention-seeking and entitled. Often wears a “I’m Cancer Free Today” shirt just to score free stuff from restaurants and businesses. Although she never had cancer she rationalizes that the shirt isn’t a lie, as she is technically cancer-free that day. Miles believes Jordan is just infatuated with her and likes being needed. Jordan defends Lissy as someone with a rough exterior but a good soul underneath.

James-Dean Ivy (56) - Sweet natured but a total pushover when it comes to Paulette. A capable father, but was absent a lot due to work and travel. Miles and Jordan don’t feel he encouraged them very much growing up. His fidelity to his wife is dubious. Shown primarily in flashback.

Paulette Ivy (55) - A loving exterior, but in Miles and Jordan’s retrospect, a dysfunctional mess. People love her at first, but she can’t keep lasting friendships. Every new friend is her new “bestest friend ever”. Describes herself as feminist, but her actions don’t speak to this one way or the other. She’s an undiagnosed alcoholic and drama-addict.