Common and Jim Carrey are both working with Showtime on new pilots, the network said today at the Television Critics Association press tour. The two will add some star-power to the projects, albeit from behind the scenes.
The project with Common is currently untitled, but will be written by Lena Waithe, who also wrote the film Dear White People. It is set on the South Side of Chicago and centers on a young African-American man trying to survive that environment. According to Deadline, it will be produced by Fox 21 TV Studios with Clark Johnson (Homeland) directing the pilot. Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment is executive producing with Waithe and Common.
Another new pilot is I’m Dying Here, which is set in the 1970s Los Angeles comedy scene and counts Carrey as an executive producer. This one was written by Dave Flebotte (Will & Grace) and is based on William Knoedelseder’s nonfiction book. It will be produced by Endemol Shine Studios and Assembly Entertainment. Jonathan Levine (50/50) is directing the pilot.
Showtime also picked up Just Kids, a limited series based on rock star Patti Smith’s memoir. It comes from John Logan, who created Penny Dreadful.
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