Awkwafina’s (Crazy Rich Asians, Oceans 8) half-hour comedy Awkwafina has been given a series order by Comedy Central, TheWrap has confirmed. The network has also picked up a comedy from comedian Rory Scovel (I Feel Pretty).
Awkwafina is about a 20-something in Queens striving for a larger than life existence while living with her father and grandmother. Awkwafina will star in and executive produce the 10-episode series, and also co-wrote the pilot with Karey Dornetto and Teresa Hsiao.
Also starring in the series are Bowen Yang as Awkwafin’s more successful cousin, BD Wong as her father, and Lori Tan Chinn as her grandmother. The pilot was directed by Lucia Aniello.
“I’ve been watching Comedy Central since I was old enough to hold a remote, and so many of their shows have defined who I am today,” said Awkwafina. “I am so honored to be given their platform to tell the story of an Asian American girl against the backdrop of the city I was raised in.”
Executive producing alongside Awkwafina are Dornetto, Aniello, Peter Principato, and Itay Reiss of Artists First. Hsiao is co-executive producing with Monika Zielinska, Adam Londy, and Rachel Olson serving as executives in charge for Comedy Central.
Scovel’s comedy, Robbie, received an eight-episode order. The comedian will co-write and star in the seris as a small town youth league basketball coach who’s living in his father’s shadow until he realizes he has a son of his own who can lead him to greatness.
“I can’t wait to get started. I think our cast and entire production team is insanely talented,” said Scovel. “It’s exciting to work with Comedy Central and it’s especially awesome because they said they would never cancel us.”
Also starring in the series are Beau Bridges as Scovel’s father, Sasheer Zamata, and Mary Holland. Scovel and co-writer Anthony King are executive producing alongside Scott Moran, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Betsy Koch, and Owen Burke of Gary Sanchez Productions. Zielinska and Olson will serve as executives in charge.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
