Shadow and Act has learned that Ziwe Fumudoh, who has seen her star rise dramatically due to her viral Instagram Live interviews, has received a straight-to-series order for an untitled variety series at Showtime which she will star in.  The series “will feature interviews, sketches and more – including unscripted and unpredictable real-world rendezvous between everyday people and Ziwe, a writer, comedian and performer.” A24 will also produce.

It extends her relationship at Showtime, where she writers for Desus & Mero and Our Cartoon President. She is also a writer on Apple TV+’s Dickenson. 

On her online show that has catapulted her to viral fame, “she invites friends and celebrities alike as guests and, armed with a smiling and biting wit, overtly baits them into comically uncomfortable conversations about race.”

“Through her addictive online series and her work for our own DESUS & MERO and OUR CARTOON PRESIDENT, Ziwe has clearly emerged as an auteur voice in comedy and culture,” said Vinnie Malhotra, Executive Vice President, Nonfiction Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “She has turned all of our heads here at SHOWTIME, and we’re excited to be the home for her new series as she continues to grow her edgy and hilarious brand of commentary on race, politics and everything in-between.”

No word yet on a timeline for the now-untitled series.

Photo by Corbin Chase, provided by Showtime