Leanne Morgan Stars in New Chuck Lorre Show Inspired by Her Life, and He Visited Her Home for Inspo: 'Had to Pinch Myself' (Exclusive)

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Leanne Morgan is starring in Netflix's new sitcom, Leanne, and PEOPLE has the exclusive first look
Morgan, who plays the eponymous divorcee, says the series isn't "based" on her life, but is rather inspired by it
Leanne, co-created by Chuck Lorre, premieres July 31 on Netflix
Leanne Morgan is starring in a brand new series inspired by her life — though, there are some key differences.
The comedian, 59, is coming to Netflix with her very own eponymous sitcom, Leanne, and PEOPLE has the first look! Per the official logline, the series follows Leanne as her life "takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman."
"Starting over when you're a grandmother and in menopause isn't exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and jello salad," it continues.
In addition to Morgan, the series will star Kristen Johnston, Celia Weston, Blake Clark, Ryan Stiles, Graham Rogers and Hannah Pilkes. Chuck Lorre, a co-creator of the series, will also serve as an executive producer alongside fellow co-creators Morgan and Susan McMartin, as well as Judi Marmel.
The actress exclusively tells PEOPLE that working with Lorre, the man behind hit shows like Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory, was "a dream come true."
'When he came to my home in Knoxville to learn more about me and my family for inspiration for the show I had to pinch myself," she recalls. "To make my very first television series with a titan of the industry taught me something new every day and I'm so honored to work with him.'
Though her life may have been a blueprint for Leanne, the actress says there's one thing that's completely fictional.
'The show isn't based on my life—I'm still happily married to my Chuck Morgan!—but it is inspired by it," she explains. "I'm excited to share more about myself and where I come from with viewers, and I can't wait for y'all to see the incredible cast they've paired me with.'
Morgan met her husband while attending the University of Tennessee. At the time, she was pursuing a degree in child and family studies after getting a divorce from her first husband.
During an interview for her Never Before Told series on YouTube, Morgan told her daughter Maggie that she was working at a local restaurant when she met the man who would become her husband.
"Your daddy, Chuck Morgan, was in MBA school and came to work there — they had a group of trainees come through — and I'm standing up against the wall waiting for my table to be seated," she said. "He's tall, he's 6'4', he's so thin, he looks like a praying mantis. I mean that in a sweet way. And I said, 'You're as tall as a tree.' '
The couple started dating soon after and married around 1993. They then went on to welcome three children: Charlie, Maggie and Tess.
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Leanne premieres July 31 on Netflix.
Read the original article on People