Shadow and Act has learned that NBC has ordered three new series, and among them is Brooklyn Nine-Nine writer Phil Augusta Jackson’s Grand Crew. Mo Marable directed the pilot. Echo Kellum, Justin Cunningham, Carl Tart, Aaron Jennings and Nicole Byer star in the series which focuses on “a group of Black friends unpack the ups and downs of life and love at a wine bar.”
The network has also ordered comedy American Auto and drama series La Brea.
“Our driving force has always been to seek out talented storytellers who have a strong point of view,” Katz said. “While these shows are very different thematically , what they have in common is a unique voice, excellent world building, and compelling storytelling. We can’t wait to share them with TV fans everywhere.”
Starring Natalie Zea, Zyra Gorecki and Chiké Okonkwo, La Brea revolves around “when a massive sinkhole mysteriously opens in Los Angeles, it tears a family in half, separating mother and son from father and daughter. When part of the family find themselves in an unexplainable primeval world, alongside a disparate group of strangers, they must work to survive and uncover the mystery of where they are and if there is a way back home.”
As for American Auto, “set at the headquarters of a major American automotive company in Detroit where a floundering group of executives try to rediscover the company identity amidst a rapidly changing industry.” Ana Gasteyer, Jon Barinholtz, Harriet Dyer, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White and X Mayo star.
Universal Television is the studio on all three.