The comedy pilot, “Superior Donuts,” which is based on a play by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts, and which was actually not picked up by CBS for its fall schedule, is now back in play, with filming expected to take place this summer for a possible midseason premiere, should CBS order it to series.

The project centers on the unlikely friendship that blossoms between Arthur, a disillusioned Chicago donuts shop owner, and his newly hired employee Franco, a highly energetic, eager, young dreamer. As gentrification looms, Franco sees the donuts shop as a symbol of everything he loves about the neighborhood with its authenticity and realness, so he makes it his mission to drag the shop – and Arthur – into the 21st century.

Jermaine Fowler will star in the CBS series adaptation as Franco, and also serve as an exec producer. He was attached to the project from the beginning, but his original co-star Brian d’Arcy will be re-cast.

Geffen Playhouse called the original play “a heart-warming and humorous tale… in one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods.”

The project will be penned by Neil Goldman, Garrett Donovan and Bob Daily, who will executive produce along with Mark Teitelbaum, John Montgomery, Michael Rotenberg and Josh Lieberman. Daily will serve as showrunner.