The Carmichael Show breakout Tiffany Haddish is about to have a moment.
The actress has been tapped to star opposite Tracy Morgan in his untitled TBS comedy, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Previously developed at FX and ordered straight to series at TBS, the single-camera comedy created by Jordan Peele and John Carcieri became the subject of a multiple-network bidding war, with TBS edging out Comedy Central for the project. Peele and Carcieri (Vice Principals) reworked the script. TBS has ordered 10 episodes of the show, which it says will capture Morgan’s stand-up persona while also serving as a commentary on race relations, the Gen X/Millennial gap and the American penal system.
Here’s the new logline: After being released on good behavior from a 15-year prison stint, Tray is shocked to see just how much the world has changed in his absence. Returning to his newly gentrified Brooklyn neighborhood, Tray discovers that his former girlfriend has married an affable, successful white man, who is helping raise his twin sons that he never knew existed. Wanting nothing more than to connect with his kids, but having neither the money to support them nor himself, Tray falls back on the skills he learned in prison to make ends meet while treading on unfamiliar territory.
Haddish will play Tray’s girlfriend, Shay, who is heartbroken when he sends her packing while in prison, hoping to spare her a long and hopeless wait. When Tray is released, he finds that Shay has transformed from a tough girl from the streets to an ultra-refined socialite who is now married to a white guy, who is the antithesis of Tray.
The casting comes ahead of the May 31 season-three return of NBC critical darling The Carmichael Show. She will remain a series regular on the NBC comedy as well as juggling series regular duties on the TBS entry as well. Haddish next stars in Universal’s highly anticipated feature Girls Trip alongside Regina Hall and Jada Pinkett Smith, which is set to bow July 21.
Haddish is repped by APA, Principato Young and Del Shaw.
