Cristela Alonzo is returning to ABC.
The creator, executive producer and star of Cristela has signed on to star in the network’s drama pilot The Gospel of Kevin, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The project is described as a light hourlong about Kevin (Jason Ritter), a down-on-his-lack man who is tasked by God with a mission to save the world. Alonzo will play Yvette, a tough-talking but compassionate warrior for God who must explain to Kevin that he’s been tasked with a sacred mission.
The pilot hails from Agent Carter duo Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, who penned the script and will exec produce the ABC Studios drama. Robert Atwood has also signed on as a producer, while Paul McGuigan (Designated Survivor) is attached to direct the pilot.
, I think it’s even more appropriate than ever,” the stand-up comedian tells THR about tackling President Donald Trump in her special.”]
The role brings Alonzo back to ABC nearly two years after the end of her self-titled family sitcom, which made her the first Mexican-American woman to create, produce, write and star in her own broadcast network series. During Cristela‘s one-year run, Alonzo was also a frequent presence on ABC’s daytime talk show The View. After the cancelation of Cristela, she sounded hesitant to collaborate with the network again: “I probably don’t want to jump into another half-hour sitcom with ABC just because I know those people, I know how they work,” she said at the time.
However, Alonzo sounded more open to the possibility when talking with THR in January about her Netflix stand-up special Lower Classy. “It’s interesting because there’s different people that weren’t there when I was there, so to me it seems fair to approach them because it’s kind of like a changing of the guard,” she said in reference to the change from then-network chief Paul Lee to now-ABC president Channing Dungey.
Alonzo’s other credits include Sons of Anarchy and the upcoming Cars 3. She is repped by WME and Jackoway Tyerman.
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