We’ve ordered new half-hour comedy series WHITE FAMOUS led by actor and comedian Jay Pharoah (Saturday Night Live). The series is a collaboration between writer and showrunner Tom Kapinos (CALIFORNICATION) and Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx, based on Foxx’s personal experiences coming up in the business. Tim Story, the prolific director who helmed the movie franchises Barbershop, Fantastic Four, Ride Along and Think Like A Man, will executive produce and direct the pilot.
A co-production of Lionsgate Television and SHOWTIME, WHITE FAMOUS will focus on a talented, young African-American comedian, Floyd Mooney (Pharoah), whose star is rising, forcing him to navigate the treacherous waters of maintaining his credibility as he begins to cross-over toward becoming “white famous.” The series will be written and executive produced by Kapinos, and executive produced by Foxx, who will guest star in a recurring role. Megalyn Echikunwoke (CSI: Miami, HOUSE OF LIES) plays Floyd’s ex-girlfriend “Sadie,” the love of his life and the mother of his son. Utkarsh Ambudkar (The Mindy Project) plays “Malcolm,” Floyd’s frustrated agent who wants his client to do whatever it takes to make it big. Jacob Ming-Trent (Feed the Beast) and Lonnie Chavis (This is Us) also star. Stephen Tobolowsky (The Goldbergs) guest stars in the series’ pilot.
A co-production of Lionsgate Television and SHOWTIME, WHITE FAMOUS will focus on a talented, young African-American comedian, Floyd Mooney (Pharoah), whose star is rising, forcing him to navigate the treacherous waters of maintaining his credibility as he begins to cross-over toward becoming “white famous.” The series will be written and executive produced by Kapinos, and executive produced by Foxx, who will guest star in a recurring role. Megalyn Echikunwoke (CSI: Miami, HOUSE OF LIES) plays Floyd’s ex-girlfriend “Sadie,” the love of his life and the mother of his son. Utkarsh Ambudkar (The Mindy Project) plays “Malcolm,” Floyd’s frustrated agent who wants his client to do whatever it takes to make it big. Jacob Ming-Trent (Feed the Beast) and Lonnie Chavis (This is Us) also star. Stephen Tobolowsky (The Goldbergs) guest stars in the series’ pilot.
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We’ve picked up the new one-hour drama series, THE CHI, created, executive produced and written by Lena Waithe (Master of None, Bones) and executive produced by Grammy and Academy Award winner Common (Selma, Smokin’ Aces).
Produced by Fox 21, THE CHI is a relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story and follows a half dozen interrelated characters in the South Side of Chicago. Joining the cast is Jason Mitchell (Straight Outta Compton) as “Brandon,” an ambitious and confident young man who dreams about opening a restaurant of his own someday, but is conflicted between the promise of a new life and his responsibility to his mother and teenage brother back in the South Side. Elwood Reid (The Bridge) will executive produce and serve as showrunner along with Waithe. Aaron Kaplan (Secrets and Lies, The Mysteries of Laura) will executive produce. Rick Famuyiwa (Dope) will executive produce and direct the premiere episode.
Produced by Fox 21, THE CHI is a relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story and follows a half dozen interrelated characters in the South Side of Chicago. Joining the cast is Jason Mitchell (Straight Outta Compton) as “Brandon,” an ambitious and confident young man who dreams about opening a restaurant of his own someday, but is conflicted between the promise of a new life and his responsibility to his mother and teenage brother back in the South Side. Elwood Reid (The Bridge) will executive produce and serve as showrunner along with Waithe. Aaron Kaplan (Secrets and Lies, The Mysteries of Laura) will executive produce. Rick Famuyiwa (Dope) will executive produce and direct the premiere episode.
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