Sally & Norma

In rural New Mexico, retired middle school teachers Sally Mae Paterson (70s) and Norma Garcia (80s) refuse to fade quietly into old age. After fending off a late-night intruder with wit, nerve, and a shotgun, the feisty duo discovers a hidden talent for handling trouble. Inspired by the bold, exciting lives of their children—Deputy District Attorney James Garcia and private investigator Linda Lou Calloway—Sally and Norma decide to confront the world’s chaos head-on, tackling theft, corruption, and societal ills with charm, cunning, and the unshakable authority of two lifelong educators.

From defending themselves with bags of flour to infiltrating criminal networks with their age as a perfect disguise, the ladies navigate danger and hilarity in their old Packard. Their unconventional methods, however, create headaches for James, Linda, and Detective Solomon “Sol” de la Peña, who reluctantly comes to see their value as undercover assets. Alongside an unlikely support team that includes Sally’s martial-artist granddaughter Katie and Norma’s reformed biker tenant Obadiah, Sally and Norma prove they’re not just surviving—they’re thriving.

Whether enlisting the respect of hardened criminals or staring down gang leaders with a middle-school-teacher glare, these two unstoppable women bring justice with a side of humor. Sometimes they get it right; sometimes they don’t—but they always keep things interesting. Sally & Norma is a fresh, hour-long crime dramedy that mixes heart, humor, and a unique take on vigilante justice, perfect for audiences seeking empowering and offbeat heroes.

  • Suzanne Birrell
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Television Script
  • Genres:
    comedy
  • Number of Pages:
    35
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Santa Barbara Diverse Writers Outreach
    Santa Barbara, Ca
    January 15, 2024
    Award Winner
  • Creative Screenwriting TV Pilot Competition

    September 21, 2022
    semi finalist
  • Page Turner Screenplays

    March 31, 2020
    Quarter Finalist
Writer Biography - Suzanne Birrell

A Renaissance woman with a multi-ethnic background from small-town America (where the women are strong), Suzanne Birrell writes screenplays from a unique perspective. Suzanne teaches middle school (where children are wild and hormones rage), plays bass in a country band, and generally observes life as inspiration for her stories. All of her screenplays feature great roles for women of all ages and are based on real-life and actual events albeit with a bit of exaggeration. https://www.networkisa.org/profile/suzannebirrell

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Writer Statement

Sally and Norma are two opinionated women who came of age in the 60s and are still angry that the woman's Rights amendment did not pass. Roe vs. Wade got overturned. What is happening here? They decide it's time to go out and make some waves.