Netflix’s hit multicam comedy Leanne stars beloved comedian Leanne Morgan as a woman facing a late-in-life divorce, discovering that heartbreak doesn’t mean the end. And sometimes, it’s the real beginning.
After splittng from her longtime husband, played with chaotic charm by Ryan Stiles, Leanne finds herself navigating independence, identity and unexpected romance - all while sharing life again with her wonderfully unpredictable sister, brought hilariously to life by Kristen Johnston. When Tim Daly enters the picture as a potential love interest, Leanne is forced to face who she was, who she is and who she wants to become.
Guiding the series is sitcom royalty. Leanne is co-created and executive produced by legendary comedy architect Chuck Lorre, alongside co-creator Susan McMartin, and Nick Bakay. And shaping its emotional tone, comedic rhythm and narrative soul is editor Russell Griffin, ACE, whose editorial fingerprints help define the show’s timing, warmth and humanity.
“Leanne’s story is about resilience and rebirth,” Griffin says. “It’s hilarious, yes, but it’s also deeply emotional. As an editor, you’re protecting both. You’re honoring the humor while fiercely safeguarding the heart.”
Comedy from truth, rhythm from life
With actors like Morgan, Johnston, Stiles and Daly, Griffin says the editorial room is constantly flooded with exceptional performances.
“Every take is compelling,” he explains. “You’re always choosing between wonderful and brilliant. The editing becomes about truth. What performance tells the story best, what moment feels most honest, what reaction genuinely earns the laugh.”
Unlike many sitcoms centered on young chaos or workplace hijinks, Leanne thrives on grounded, adult perspective. The comedy isn’t just punchlines; it’s lived experience.
“Late-life reinvention is incredibly relatable,” says Griffin. “Some scenes demand big laughter; others demand space. Comedy lives in frames. Emotion lives in breathing room. You’re constantly balancing both.”
Classic multicam, modern soul
Shot in front of a live studio audience at Warner Bros. (on the famed Friends stage), Leanne proudly embraces the classic multicam tradition while elevating it for today. Four Sony F55 cameras capture every emotional shift, comedic spark and subtle look, giving Griffin extraordinary depth to sculpt.
“People still think multicam editing is simply camera switching,” he says. “That era is long gone. Now it’s meticulously crafted storytelling. You’re restructuring, reshaping, building pace, moving beats, making something cinematic while preserving the immediacy of the multicam proscenium.”
And as always, the soundtrack isn’t music, it’s laughter.
“In multicam, the audience becomes part of your editorial score,” Griffin explains. “Their reactions fuel rhythm. Their timing influences yours. You cut with them, like musicians playing together.”
Collaboration at the highest level
Working with Chuck Lorre, Susan McMartin, and Nick Bakay, Griffin says the collaboration is rich, focused and deeply story-driven.
“You’re not just cutting jokes,” he notes. “You’re shaping tone. You’re defining emotional sincerity. With creators like this, every decision matters, because everything connects back to character truth.”
Editing takes place exclusively in Avid within a robust, shared-storage setup, with DaVinci Resolve supporting transcoding. Episodes are already starting with streamlined scripts and adept directing before Griffin refines them to a lean, emotionally sharp cut.
“You’re not trimming fat,” Griffin says. “You’re sculpting story. The goal is always the most honest laugh and the most authentic heart.”
The invisible art of making people feel
For Griffin, sitcom editing remains one of television’s most misunderstood crafts despite its extraordinary complexity.
“Comedy is emotional engineering,” he says. “When a laugh lands, it’s because the structure supported it. When a hearfelt moment resonates, it’s because we protected it. Editing makes both possible and ideally invisible.”
He takes pride in making audiences feel like they’re in the room with Leanne, rooting for her, laughing with her, healing alongside her.
“If viewers walk away feeling seen, comforted and joyfully entertained, then we’ve done our job.”
A fresh classic about second chances
While Leanne delivers classic sitcom comfort, Griffin believes its authenticity makes it special.
“This is a show about surviving change, finding strength and laughing your way through it,” he says. “It’s honest. It’s human. And it’s incredibly funny. Getting to help shape that is a privilege.”
As Leanne continues to resonate with audiences, Griffin’s editorial craft ensures the show feels both timeless and modern. It’s a warm embrace wrapped in precision timing.
“Comedy is timing. Comedy is truth. Comedy is heart,” Griffin reflects. “Our job is to sculpt all three. And with Leanne, it’s such a joy to do.”