September 18, 2014 - 15:34 AMT
Aubrey Plaza lends voice to Grumpy Cat in “Worst Christmas Ever”

Lifetime has found the voice for Grumpy Cat: Aubrey Plaza. The actress behind Parks and Recreation's April Ludgate is set to voice the surly kitty in Lifetime's TV movie Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Tim Hill (SpongeBob SquarePants) and Jeff Morris wrote the script about a pet-store cat that is perpetually overlooked and the 12-year-old girl, Chrystal, who can communicate with her. Hill also directs. The TV movie will premiere on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The live-action project is set to feature cameos from other famous Internet memes. Grumpy Cat — whose name is Tardar Sauce (purposely misspelled), for the color of her fur — became Internet famous in 2012 and has already spawned a book, a coffee product and even a short-lived theatrical movie deal with Broken Road Productions (Here Comes the Boom).

For Plaza's part, Grumpy Cat marks her latest small-screen gig. In addition to the seventh and final season of Parks and Recreation — set for a likely midseason return — Plaza's TV credits include NBC's Welcome to Sweden and The Legend of Korra. On the big screen, her credits include Safety Not Guaranteed and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Plaza's casting comes after Glee star Jane Lynch was set to voice the role but rebuffed the gig after taking home the Emmy for NBC's Hollywood Game Night.

Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever airs Saturday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.

Photo: AP Images/Invision; Courtesy of Lifetime