Tone Bell, 2011 winner of NBC's Stand Up for Diversity Showcase, has been cast as a new series regular on the network's sitcom Whitney.

Bell will play RJ, the bartender at Whitney (Whitney Cummings) and Alex's (Chris D'Elia) new local spot, according to THR. His character is described as "effortlessly cool, rock solid and a confident guy — but not in a cocky way. The divorced 'guy's guy' remains optimistic and patient about finding the right woman and believes chivalry still exists."

Bell is a relative newcomer to TV, and previously appeared on VH1's Single Ladies. He joins Whitney just after the departure of the show's other resident cast member of color, Maulik Pancholy, who played the character Neal.

Now in its ninth year, Stand Up for Diversity gives comedians from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to perform for key players at NBCUniversal and across the industry. Noted program alumni include Brandon T. Jackson, (Percy Jackson, Tropic Thunder), Ian Edwards (SNL, The Boondocks), and W. Kamau Bell (FX's forthcoming Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell).