Tim Story will direct and executive produce the pilot episode for Jamie Foxx’s upcoming new Showtime series “White Famous,” which the network ordered a pilot for in June.
Story will direct Jay Pharoah, who booked the lead in “White Famous” just days after it was announced that he was leaving “Saturday Night Live” after 6 years.
Today, Showtime has added Megalyn Echikunwoke to the program’s cast; the actress has signed up to play Pharoah’s character’s ex-girlfriend, the love of his life, as well as the mother of his son.
The half-hour comedy, executive produced by Foxx and Tom Kapinos (creator of “Californication”), is written by Kapinos, based on an idea by Foxx, who will also guest star in a recurring role.
A co-production between Lionsgate Television and Showtime, the project will focus on a talented, young African American comedian whose star is rising, forcing him to navigate the treacherous waters of maintaining his credibility as he begins to cross-over towards becoming “white famous.”
“I came up from standup comedy, so to be able to share that aspect of my life on screen with a project like ‘White Famous’ is incredibly exciting,” said Foxx. “We couldn’t have found better partners than Showtime Lionsgate and Tom Kapinos to tell this story in the best possible way.”
“They say you can’t go home again, but I’m thrilled to be back at Showtime, where I’m equally jazzed to be working with the brilliant Jamie Foxx on the creation of another wickedly profane TV antihero,” added Kapinos.
Ms. Echikunwoke stars in the upcoming Charles Stone III-directed sorority/stepping dramedy, “Step Sisters,” from Broad Green Pictures, which is produced by Matt Alvarez (“Straight Outta Compton”), Lena Waithe (“Dear White People” and who is developing her own series for Showtime) and Benjamin Cory Jones (“Hand of God”).
“White Famous” joins other new cable TV series from black creators, centered around the lives of black characters that will be debuting next season, including Issa Rae’s “Insecure,” and Donald Glover’s “Atlanta.”
