A follow up to the dark comedy series “Weeds” is in development at Starz with Lionsgate Television producing, Variety has learned exclusively.

The new show picks up with the Botwin family 10 years after the events of the original series in an era of legalization. “Weeds” star Mary-Louise Parker is attached to star in and executive produce the potential new series. It hails from writer and executive producer Victoria Morrow, who previously worked as a writer and eventually co-executive producer on the original “Weeds.” “Weeds” creator Jenji Kohan is not attached to the project at this time. Lionsgate Television produced the original series as well.

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer confirmed the news on the company’s earnings call on Thursday, referring to it as “Weeds 4.20.”

“As excited as we are about our new series, I want to remind everyone that ‘the old is also new,’ and we’re pleased to be bringing two of the most acclaimed shows in television history, ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Weeds,’ to the global syndication marketplace next year,” Feltheimer said. “We will be launching the marketing campaign for ‘Mad Men,’ winner of 16 Emmys and five Golden Globes during its eight-year run, later this month. And we’re thrilled to be back in business with series star and producer Mary Louise Parker on what we’re calling ‘Weeds 4.20,’ already in active development at Starz, as we prepare a comprehensive and integrated rollout for one of television’s most beloved properties.”

“Weeds” first began airing on Showtime in 2005, wrapping up after eight seasons and over 100 episodes in 2012. The series was met with critical acclaim upon its debut, eventually racking up 20 Emmy nominations over the course of its run. That includes multiple nominations for best actress in a comedy for Parker as well as for best supporting actress in a comedy for Elizabeth Perkins. The show was also nominated for best comedy series in 2009.

Should the project go to series, it would be the latest half-hour drama or dramedy at Starz. The premium cabler also currently airs “Vida” and “Sweetbitter,” both of which are half-hour shows. The network is also developing a half-hour series continuation of the film “Blindspotting” with Jasmine Cephas Jones set to star. Other current Starz shows include the one-hour dramas “Outlander,” “American Gods,” and “Power,” the last of which is ending after its current sixth season with a spinoff starring Mary J. Blige already in the works.

“Weeds” also continues Starz’ push into programming content geared toward women. Speaking at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in July, Jeffrey Hirsch, who at the time was Starz’ COO but was recently upped to president and CEO, said the network was targeting a “premium female” audience.

EXCLUSIVE UPDATED: Showtime is looking to bring back two of its signature comedy series, Nurse Jackie and Weeds. Both hail from Lionsgate Television and former Showtime chief Robert Greenblatt who has a deal at the indie studio.

Reps for Showtime and Lionsgate would not comment but I hear the followups, now in early stages of development, have the original leads, Edie Falco and Mary-Louise Parker, attached to star and executive produce. Sources stress that the projects are still coming together and deals are being negotiated.

The Weeds revival would be written and executive produced by Christian Torpe, creator of the popular Danish series Rita, and would feature Nancy (Parker) in Copenhagen, I hear.

Meanwhile, I hear the Nurse Jackie sequel would be written/executive produced by Abe Sylvia and Liz Flahive who were writers-producers on the original series. The concept is still being finalized.

Greenblatt, who I hear came up with the idea of reviving Nurse Jackie and brought Falco and Sylvia on board, executive produces both projects. Untitled Entertainment is producing Weeds.

The Weeds and Nurse Jackie sequels, which I hear are being put on fast-track development to launch as early as Q1 2024 (contingent on the writers strike ending), fit into Showtime’s new programming strategy focused on IP and franchise building. The network recently commissioning new offshoots of other signature series, including The L Word, Billions and Dexter.

There have been efforts to continue the Weeds story for years. In 2019, Lionsgate TV sibling Starz announced that it was developing a followup from writer Victoria Morrow that was to pick up with the Botwin family 10 years after the events of the original series in an era of marijuana legalization.

Created by Jenji Kohan, the original starred Parker as a widowed mother of two boys, played by Hunter Parrish and Alexander Gould, who begins selling marijuana to support her family after her husband’s death. Justin Kirk, Kevin Nealon, Elizabeth Perkins. Andy Milder, Allie Grant, Tonye Patano and Romany Malco also starred. The show aired from 2005-2012, winning two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and WGA Award over the course of its run.

Hospital dramedy Nurse Jackie starred Falco in the title role as a duplicitous, pill-popping ER nurse and mom. The series, which ran from 2009 to 2015, won five Primetime Emmy Awards out of 24 nominations, including wins for Falco and Merritt Wever. Nurse Jackie was created and executive produced by Liz Brixius, Linda Wallem and Evan Dunksy. Caryn Mandabach and John Melfi also executive produced.