'Parks and Recreation' to return with special episode during lockdown

Pawnee enthusiasts will be celebrating in isolation today, after the show confirmed it would be returning for a coronavirus special.

Leslie Knope and the whole gang will be back on screens for a one-night charity special NBC announced on Thursday, confirming the entire cast jumped at the opportunity to return to America’s most dysfunctional local council department.

The special will be raising funds for Feeding America, a hunger relief organisation in the US, and will air in exactly one week, on Thursday 30 April.

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Castmates confirmed the news on Instagram, sharing a video in which comedian Amy Poehler, who plays Leslie Knope, explains the episode will follow her character’s attempt to connect with the gang online, during strict coronavirus social distancing laws.

“It’s true!” Chris Pratt, who plays Andy wrote on his social media. “We’ve already filmed the episode!”

Some even started joking it was an opportunity for the beloved mockumentary comedy series to nab the Emmy they never got their hands on before.

“We FINALLY get that Emmy,” Chris wrote. “Right? That’s how this works? Ok. See you soon!!”

“GUARANTEED EMMY,” Rashida Jones, who plays Anne, agreed.

Ben star Adam Scott and Donna actor Retta both shared a sneaky snap of the quarantine script, while Rob Lowe, who plays Chris, did his own announcement video in character.

“Like a lot of other people, we were looking for ways to help and felt that bringing these characters back for a night could raise some money,” executive producer Michael Schur said in a statement.

“I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old ‘Parks and Rec’ team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!”

Fans ecstatic

Fans were ecstatic at the news, flooding the many social media announcements with their thrilled reactions.

“This is awesome,” one wrote.

“Literally the best surprise of quarantine,” another agreed.

“Omg I could cry!!!” one emotional fan wrote.