ABC is developing a Middle Eastern superhero comedy from Bassem Youssef, Larry Wilmore
ABC is developing a comedy about a super-powered Middle Eastern family from Larry Wilmore (In Living Color, Insecure) and Bassem Youssef (The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Tickling Giants), according to Variety.
The series, which is as-yet-untitled, centers on the Sharif family, “an ordinary Middle Eastern American family with two superhero parents at a time when it’s illegal to be a superhero, so they are forced to save the world in secret.” The show will reportedly deal with issues of immigrant families. Wilmore and Youssef will write and executive produce the show, which will be a single camera comedy. ABC Studios will produce the show.
Youssef told the site, “To have ABC challenge the narrative and stereotypes that have long stuck to people in my region is something spectacular to say the least. To have only terrorist roles available for us one day, then get to play superheroes the next, is ground breaking. I am grateful to work with, Larry Wilmore, one of the most talented writers and producers in the market. SCH is unprecedented, culture-defining, and entertaining for the whole family.”
Youssef is known for his comedy and writing and has appeared on The Daily Show and Late Night with Stephen Colbert. He also appeared on Wilmore’s show on Comedy Central, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. He appeared in the documentary Tickling Giants and wrote the TV series America in Arabic. Youssef is also a producer, doctor, critic and television host. He hosted the show Al-Bernameg from 2011-2014.
Wilmore is known for writing In Living Color, The Bernie Mac Show, Sister, Sister and HBO’s Insecure, which he also executive produces. He’s also an EP on the TV series black-ish.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
