Interned follows Lucy, an ambitious go-getter, who is thrust into the deep end when she discovers her summer internship is with the mafia, and with the help of her fellow interns, must see through a drug deal before the annual Police Gala on Friday.

The pressure to have ten years of job experience when looking for an entry-level role is all-consuming. In every industry, young people are told to stand out, but not too much. Compete, but don’t be cutthroat. Be confident, but deferential. It's a constant balancing act, and frankly, a bit of a joke.

This rat race is both comical and suffocating. From applications that vanish into the void to unpaid internships that ask for everything, navigating the job market feels like a full-time job in and of itself. Add to that the generational divide – between those who’ve “paid their dues” in a different era and those who are navigating an entirely new economic system where stability is rare and degrees don’t guarantee jobs – and there’s a slew of tension, confusion, and dark humor to explore. 

Meet Our Characters!

Lucy, 21, is a type-A college student desperate for internship experience in NYC. She is optimistic to a fault, but is smart and always follows through on her word. Throughout the series, Lucy must balance the line between her conscience and the emotional fulfillment that comes from being part of the family business.

Max, 20, is a wannabe mobster with a mild obsession with the Russo crime family. He interns at their event venue, hoping to break into the real business. When he’s not getting into trouble, he’s crushing on Valentina, the granddaughter of Don Russo.

Valentina, 21, is a misunderstood, Brooklyn-born mafia princess who has been spoiled her whole life. Hoping to gain some agency in her adulthood and prove that women should be included in the Mafia world, she becomes the nepotism hire at the venue, but hates being the one to show Max and Lucy the ropes.

Don Russo, 60s, is the head of the Russo crime family. Intimidating, reserved, the boss; he’s not often seen, but his presence is always there. He is protective of the family and keeps a close eye on his favorite granddaughter, Valentina.

Hi! I’m Alexis, the showrunner for Interned. I am so excited to bring this story to life!

I am a comedy fan through and through. I love political satires and high-concept comedies (such as VEEP and Our Flag Means Death, etc!). All I want to do in life is make people laugh and do what I can to improve their day.

Across industries, the job market is going through a tough time right now. Trying to get my first job in the entertainment industry felt like I was shouting into a void. I wanted to pair this feeling with the hierarchies and rules that come with any workplace — even a Mafia front. Interned walks the line between ambition vs morality, competition vs collaboration, and co-worker vs family.

I’m grateful to be working with such an incredible team. Seeing the world evolve and grow before our eyes is quite special. I can’t wait to get the show on its feet. I hope you can laugh along with us!

Project Timeline

Interned is a student production selected to be created in NYU’s TV Bootcamp. The story’s been in development since last spring and we are now in the thick of pre-production: casting, finalizing scripts, and raising money for the cause! Over the course of five weeks, we will produce and shoot five five-minute episodes that will be edited and screened the following semester (Spring 2026, you all are invited!). This Seed&Spark campaign will help cover the bare necessities of the production such as food and transportation. We appreciate your engagement with the project in any and all ways!

Get Involved

We are super excited to bring this story to life, but we need your help! No donation is too small. And if you're unable to donate, please follow along with the show's production on our Instagram page @interned_series and share it with friends and family at the link: https://www.instagram.com/interned_series/

Thank you for your contributions!