Four years after being hired as “The Daily Show’s” very first African American female correspondent (in 2012), Jessica Williams said goodbye to the Comedy Central show earlier this year. Although she hasn’t left Comedy Central entirely. In fact, Williams signed a development deal with the network over the summer, that will see her write, produce, and star in the pilot for a half-hour scripted series produced by Naomi Ekperigin (“Broad City,” “Difficult People”), that will center on “a politically-minded young woman who may be ‘woke’ but doesn’t know what she’s doing,” according to the official description.
In addition to that TV project, Williams will also take her talents to the big screen, as independent film production company Beachside announced today that the actress-comedian will star in writer / director Jim Strouse’ new film in a role specifically developed for her. The pair first worked together on Strouse’ “People Places Things,” which premiered to critical and audience acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015, and was released later that year.
In the upcoming new film, Jessica (Williams) will play an aspiring playwright in New York City trying hard to get over a recent break-up with her boyfriend. She sees light at the end of the tunnel when she meets Boone (Chris O’Dowd), himself recently divorced. Together, they figure out a way to make it through the tough times – and in the meantime, they realize they like each other – a lot.
In addition to O’Dowd, Lakeith Stanfield (currently winning over new fans in Donald Glover’s FX series “Atlanta”) is also co-starring in the film; he will portray the ex-boyfriend Jessica still carries a torch for. Also Noël Wells plays Jessica’s best friend and confidante.
Filming has begun in New York City, with Michael B. Clark and Alex Turtletaub of Beachside producing and financing the picture.
Williams is an executive producer. ICM Partners is handling domestic sales.
Commenting on Jessica Williams’ casting, Jim Strouse stated, “While I was in the edit room for People Places Things, I kept telling people that I can’t wait till she stars in her own movie. I just decided to get a jump on it and wrote one for her. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be making it with Jessica and the rest of this incredible cast which came together around her.”
Writer / director Jim Strouse’s directorial debut, “Grace is Gone,” starring John Cusack, won the Sundance Audience Award in 2007. He later wrote and directed “The Winning Season,” starring Sam Rockwell and Emma Roberts, and “People Places Things,” starring Jemaine Clement and Jessica Williams. Additional writing credits include John Krasinski’s upcoming “The Hollars” and Steve Buscemi’s “Lonesome Jim.”
Strouse is represented by ICM Partners and Thruline Entertainment.
Williams is represented by UTA and Mosaic. Chris O’Dowd is represented by WME and Three Arts Entertainment. Lakeith Stanfield is represented by CAA and Stark Management. And Noël Wells is represented by ICM Partners and Kirsten Ames Management.
