PEN15

The show was created by and stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who play highly fictionalized, thirteen-year-old versions of themselves. The two adult actresses write and perform alongside an actual cast of real teenagers. This age gap creates the show's signature cringe comedy style.

PEN15 follows two middle school outcasts, Anna Kone and Maya Ishii-Peters, as they navigate the social awkwardness, bullies, and puberty of the year 2000. The show chronicles the agonizing ups and downs of seventh grade. It realistically captures the early 2000s middle school experience while focusing heavily on the girls' unwavering friendship.

The series premiered on the streaming service Hulu in February 2019. It received widespread critical acclaim for its painfully accurate recreation of the early 2000s era and its mature, nuanced take on adolescence. The show ran for two seasons, concluding its run in 2021.

Yes, the show is firmly set in the year 2000, specifically highlighting the culture of the early 2000s. The creators meticulously recreate the pop culture, fashion, and technology of the time, such as dial-up internet and flip phones. This specific time period is essential to the nostalgic and slightly tragic tone of the comedy.