Comedy Meets Vertical Storytelling: Alisha Dhillon and Quentin Lee Join Forces for New Series ‘Unleeshed’

In an era where digital content consumption is shifting rapidly toward mobile-first, vertical formats, a high-profile creative team is set to redefine the landscape of comedy. Comedian Alisha Dhillon and prolific filmmaker Quentin Lee—both alumni of the critically acclaimed, Canadian Screen Award-winning series Comedy Invasion—have announced a strategic reunion. The duo is co-creating Unleeshed, an ambitious new vertical-format series slated for a worldwide premiere on Asian American Movies (AAM.tv) during the 2026 Thanksgiving window.

This project represents more than just a creative collaboration; it marks a significant milestone for AAM.tv, as Unleeshed will serve as the platform’s inaugural original vertical series. With principal photography scheduled to commence in August, the production is poised to bridge the gap between traditional stand-up narratives and the fast-paced, intimate aesthetic of modern smartphone-optimized entertainment.

A Proven Partnership: The Road to ‘Unleeshed’

The synergy between Dhillon and Lee was solidified during their work on the 2024 Canadian Screen Award-winning episode of Comedy Invasion, titled "Woman of Ganja." That project, written and headlined by Dhillon and directed by Lee, garnered significant industry attention for its authentic exploration of the immigrant experience through the lens of humor.

For Dhillon, Unleeshed acts as an expansion of her own lived experiences. The series follows a South Asian stand-up comic and aspiring actor who finds her trajectory interrupted by a personal crisis. When she is forced to pause her career ambitions in Los Angeles to care for her ailing father, she discovers that the most daunting stage she will ever face is not a comedy club, but the internal battlefield of self-doubt.

The narrative explores the friction between professional aspirations and filial duty, using the backdrop of the cutthroat L.A. roast battle circuit to provide sharp, biting commentary on the industry.

Chronology and Production Roadmap

The development of Unleeshed has been a meticulously paced endeavor, designed to maximize the potential of the vertical format.

• Early 2024: The success of Comedy Invasion creates a foundation for continued collaboration between Dhillon and Lee.
• Late 2024 – Early 2025: Dhillon develops the pilot script, drawing from her extensive background in the San Francisco and Los Angeles comedy scenes.
• Mid-2025: Quentin Lee officially boards the project as co-creator and executive producer under his banner, Margin Films.
• August 2026: Principal photography is scheduled to begin, utilizing a production style specifically tailored for mobile aspect ratios.
• November 2026: Global premiere of the completed first season on AAM.tv, timed to coincide with the Thanksgiving holiday.

The decision to produce the series as a "vertical" show—designed to be viewed on devices like iPhones and Androids—is a calculated move. "With the rapid rise of vertical storytelling, I saw an exciting opportunity to adapt the pilot into the first season of a vertical series," Lee noted. "It serves not only as compelling entertainment but also as a proof of concept for future seasons."

The Powerhouse Behind the Scenes

The credibility of Unleeshed is bolstered by the impressive track records of its principals. Alisha Dhillon has spent the better part of the last decade sharpening her wit in some of the most competitive rooms in North America. Her credentials include finalist honors at the 2025 San Francisco Comedy Competition and a runner-up finish at the prestigious Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Competition. Beyond her accolades, she has been a fixture at SF Sketchfest and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and currently holds the title of Bay Area Roast Battle Champion.

Quentin Lee, meanwhile, brings the gravitas of a veteran filmmaker. Having launched Margin Films in 1996, his career spans three decades of independent production. His debut feature, Shopping for Fangs, made waves at the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival, and he has since directed over 10 feature films and created four television series. As Margin Films celebrates its 30th anniversary, Unleeshed serves as a modern evolution of the company’s mission to platform diverse voices.

Official Perspectives: Bridging Art and Ambition

In official statements, both creators emphasized the emotional core of the series. For Dhillon, the project is an exercise in vulnerability. "I wrote Unleeshed to remind myself and others that confidence is built through action and our biggest limits are self-made," she explained. "I hope people see themselves in Alisha and discover that even life’s toughest moments can hold something worth laughing about."

Lee echoed this sentiment, noting that the authenticity of the script was the primary catalyst for his involvement. "When I first read the pilot, I immediately fell in love with the world Alisha created—a world drawn from her own lived experiences," Lee said. By framing the series as a "proof of concept," Lee is signaling that he envisions a long-term future for the property, potentially expanding the Unleeshed universe across multiple seasons or spin-offs.

Industry Implications: The Rise of Vertical Cinema

The choice of AAM.tv as the exclusive distributor for Unleeshed is highly strategic. The platform has spent years building a curated library of diasporic Asian films, documentaries, and series. By introducing an original vertical series, AAM.tv is attempting to capture a younger, mobile-native demographic that is increasingly abandoning traditional television for shorter-form, vertical content found on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

The implications for the independent film industry are significant. If Unleeshed succeeds, it could set a template for other creators to leverage high-quality, narrative-driven storytelling within the constraints of vertical aspect ratios. It validates the idea that mobile-first content does not need to be "disposable" or low-budget; it can be character-driven, emotionally resonant, and visually sophisticated.

A Platform for the Diaspora

AAM.tv, accessible via iOS, Android, and Roku, has carved out a niche as a digital home for global Asian stories. By hosting Unleeshed, the platform is effectively modernizing its content strategy. The series acts as a bridge between the traditional "indie film" sensibilities of the early 2000s and the hyper-connected, digital-first culture of the late 2020s.

As the production gears up for its August start date, the industry will be watching closely. Will Unleeshed become the definitive example of how to translate the intensity of stand-up comedy into the vertical format? Given the chemistry between Dhillon and Lee and their proven track record of finding the humor in the human struggle, the signs point toward a successful launch.

For fans of the duo and those interested in the evolution of digital storytelling, the wait until November 2026 represents a pivotal moment in the intersection of comedy and mobile media. Unleeshed is not just a show about a comedian finding her voice; it is a show about the industry itself finding a new way to reach its audience.