Robin Thede is slated to star in a new HBO series titled A Black Lady Sketch Show, with Issa Rae is set to executive produce under her Issa Rae Productions. Thede, a noted comedy writer, is the creator of the new show. Lauren Ashley Smith will serve as head writer and co-exec producer on Black Lady Sketch Show, reuniting with Thede, who worked together on her BET late-night show The Rundown With Robin Thede.
According to Deadline, the new series will “feature narrative sketches performed by a core cast of black women, including Thede, as well as celebrity guests. The show also will be written and directed by an array of black women.”
“’EXCITED’ doesn’t begin to express my feelings for A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW, coming soon to HBO,” wrote Thede on Instagram. “I created this show out of pure passion for all the amazing funny black women I am blessed to work with every day. WE ARE HERE AND WE ARE READY. I can’t wait to share this show with the world.”
She continued, “For now, let’s just all hail the prolific @issarae, who is the best producing partner I could have asked for!!! And special love to JAX media, who has never wavered in their faith in me or my work. And @mslas, on whom I rely for EVERYTHING and who is leading an epic team of black women writers!! Oh and let’s be clear — it’s not a team “predominately of black women” — it’s ALLLLLLLLLLLL BLACK WOMEN. LET’S MAKE HISTORY.
Thede was the first African-American woman to serve as head writer for a late-night series, Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore show for the White House Correspondents Dinner. Also, she currently developing a scripted project for ABC.
