Adam Scott, the talented actor known for his role in ‘Severance’, is advocating for the release of ‘Philly Justice’, the fictional pilot created by the cast of ‘Parks & Recreation’. The pilot, which has never been released, was filmed during the seven-season run of the beloved NBC sitcom. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Scott expressed his desire for the world to see the footage, stating, “It would be so fun to put that out in the world.”
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The concept of ‘Philly Justice’ was initially teased by Parks and Rec creator Mike Schur, along with stars Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones. Described as a side project undertaken by the cast for fun during breaks on set, the pilot remains a mystery to fans. Scott confirmed that they did film something and expressed surprise that it has never been made public. He recalled, “We spent a whole day shooting Philly Justice. So, there is material.”
During a Paley Center panel in 2012, Schur and Poehler delved into the elaborate inside joke behind Philly Justice, which originated from an on-set photo featuring Poehler, Scott, Jones, Paul Rudd, and Kathryn Hahn. Each actor in the photo created a fake character with a detailed backstory. Scott portrayed a “loose cannon” lawyer named Nick Bellows, while Jones played the role of Joanna “Joey” Suarez, a fiery lawyer dedicated to stopping gang violence.
The joke extended beyond character backstories, with the cast inventing a whole behind-the-scenes history for the fictional show. According to Poehler, the show would have been filmed in 2003 and featured a storyline where Rudd’s character was replaced by Dylan McDermott, who was later replaced by Dermot Mulroney. Additionally, Jones’ character underwent an image makeover midway through the series due to audience feedback.
Schur revealed the extent to which the cast committed to the joke, mentioning that Scott even went as far as creating a fake email address for McDermott and corresponding with the rest of the cast. The playful banter continued as Rudd was teased about being recast on the fake show. Jones shared that the concept of Philly Justice grew beyond a mere joke, with the writers crafting an entire episode around it that was partially filmed during their free time.
In an interview with The Independent last year, Jones disclosed that the cast and writers had become engrossed in the Philly Justice storyline, leading to the production of 15 pages for an episode of the non-existent show. The level of dedication and creativity put into this project showcases the camaraderie and humour shared among the talented cast of Parks & Recreation.
As fans eagerly await the release of ‘Philly Justice’, the passion and commitment displayed by Adam Scott and his fellow cast members continue to resonate with audiences. The behind-the-scenes tale of this fake pilot serves as a testament to the enduring bond forged during the filming of Parks & Recreation. With Scott leading the charge, the hope remains alive that one day, the world will get to experience the magic of ‘Philly Justice’.