Tasha Smith and Tone Bell have joined the cast of Netflix‘s Michelle Buteau scripted comedy series, Survival of The Thickest.
The eight-episode series is based on her book of essays of the same name.
Here's the official logline:
Survival of the Thickest centers on Mavis Beaumont (Michelle Buteau). Black, plus-size and newly single (not by her choice!), Mavis unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life as a struggling stylist. She’s determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body-positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss. The scripted comedy is based on Buteau’s acclaimed book of essays.
Smith will play Marley, "an early 50’s self-made millionaire. She’s a woman of NYC status who always has a fresh luxury manicure and the best day and night serums money can buy (we love to see it!). She gives that Aries tell-it-like-it-is energy, but there’s still an ever-present warm big sister vibe. She just wants the best for everybody, and she knows what the best is."
Bell stars as Khalil, “Mavis’s bestie and first phone call since high school. He’s a creative and talented artist who has always prided himself on making life choices that keep things simple, affordable (nothing wrong with clipping coupons!), and uncomplicated. But now in his very late 30s, he starts to question what really matters and if life is worth complicating for the right person.”
Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel created the series, with A24’s Ravi Nandan and Alli Reich executive producing. Sanchez Witzel will also act as showrunner thanks to her new overall deal with Netflix.
Buteau had a long-standing relationship with Netflix thanks to her stand-up special, Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia, serving as host of reality series The Circle, and will narrate the upcoming docuseries The Principles of Pleasure. She has also starred in the film Always Be My Maybe, series Tales of the City, and she will also host the second season of Barbecue Showdown.
