Exclusive: D.K. Uzoukwu, Telma Hopkins, Jay Wilkison and Norah Murphy have joined the cast of Amazon Freevee’s Clean Slate as series regulars. They join previously announced stars Laverne Cox and George Wallace.
Clean Slate follows old-school and outspoken car wash owner Harry Slate (Wallace), who is thrilled his estranged child is finally returning home to Alabama after 17 years away. However, he has a lot of soul-searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns as the determined, proud, trans woman Desiree (Cox).
Uzoukwu will play Louis, a closeted gay choir director at the local church who the older female congregants insist on trying to fix up. He’s a close childhood friend of Desiree, and the only person who gives her a genuinely heartfelt welcome home.
Hopkins will play Ella, Louis’ mother, a no-nonsense jack-of-all-trades who has known Harry for much longer than either of them would like to admit.
Clean Slate follows old-school and outspoken car wash owner Harry Slate (Wallace), who is thrilled his estranged child is finally returning home to Alabama after 17 years away. However, he has a lot of soul-searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns as the determined, proud, trans woman Desiree (Cox).
Uzoukwu will play Louis, a closeted gay choir director at the local church who the older female congregants insist on trying to fix up. He’s a close childhood friend of Desiree, and the only person who gives her a genuinely heartfelt welcome home.
Hopkins will play Ella, Louis’ mother, a no-nonsense jack-of-all-trades who has known Harry for much longer than either of them would like to admit.
- 3/24/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Laverne Cox Comedy Series ‘Clean Slate’ Gets Green Light at Amazon Freevee With Producer Norman Lear
Amazon Freevee has given the green light to comedy series “Clean Slate,” written by George Wallace, and Laverne Cox.
Cox and Wallace also star in the series, which hails from Sony Pictures Television and Norman Lear’s Act III Productions. Dan Ewen also helped write the story of the show and wrote the script for its pilot.
Here’s a logline for the series:
Old school and outspoken car wash owner, Henry (Wallace), is thrilled his estranged child is finally returning home to Alabama after 17 years. However, Henry has a lot of soul searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns as the determined, proud, trans woman, Desiree (Cox).
“Clean Slate” has been in development at Amazon Freevee for over a year after moving from NBCUniversal’s development slate in early 2021. That’s after NBCU held onto the project for about a year, as well.
Cox...
Cox and Wallace also star in the series, which hails from Sony Pictures Television and Norman Lear’s Act III Productions. Dan Ewen also helped write the story of the show and wrote the script for its pilot.
Here’s a logline for the series:
Old school and outspoken car wash owner, Henry (Wallace), is thrilled his estranged child is finally returning home to Alabama after 17 years. However, Henry has a lot of soul searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns as the determined, proud, trans woman, Desiree (Cox).
“Clean Slate” has been in development at Amazon Freevee for over a year after moving from NBCUniversal’s development slate in early 2021. That’s after NBCU held onto the project for about a year, as well.
Cox...
- 9/6/2022
- by Katie Campione
- The Wrap
He may have turned 100 in July, but Norman Lear isn’t about to disappear from our screens. There is an upcoming special this month about the legendary TV creator’s life. And now comes news of a brand new show. Amazon Freevee has ordered Clean Slate, from his Act III Productions and Sony Pictures Television and starring George Wallace and Laverne Cox, to series. Wallace plays old school and outspoken car wash owner, Henry, who is thrilled his estranged child is finally returning home to Alabama after 17 years. However, Henry has a lot of soul searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns as the determined, proud, trans woman, Desiree (Cox). Wallace, Cox, and Dan Ewan, who will serve as executive producer and writer, came up with the story. Cox will executive produce, while Wallace will produce, as will Paul Hilepo. Lear will executive produce with his producing partner Brent Miller.
- 9/6/2022
- TV Insider
Amazon Freevee has picked up to series the Laverne Cox-George Wallace comedy Clean Slate, from Norman Lear’s Act III Productions and Sony Pictures Television, where the company is based. This is a formal order for the half-hour project, starring Cox and Wallace, which I hear was unofficially made around Lear’s 100th birthday on July 27.
The green light brings to a successful conclusion Clean Slate’s journey’s to the screen. The comedy was initially announced as part of NBCUniversal’s development slate in January 2020, and moved to Amazon Freevee (then-IMDb TV) for development in early 2021.
2022 Amazon Freevee Pilots & Series Orders
Clean Slate follows Henry (Wallace), an old-school and outspoken car wash owner, who is thrilled his estranged child is finally returning home to Alabama after 17 years. However, Henry has a lot of soul searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns as the determined,...
The green light brings to a successful conclusion Clean Slate’s journey’s to the screen. The comedy was initially announced as part of NBCUniversal’s development slate in January 2020, and moved to Amazon Freevee (then-IMDb TV) for development in early 2021.
2022 Amazon Freevee Pilots & Series Orders
Clean Slate follows Henry (Wallace), an old-school and outspoken car wash owner, who is thrilled his estranged child is finally returning home to Alabama after 17 years. However, Henry has a lot of soul searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns as the determined,...
- 9/6/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon Freevee has given the greenlight to “Clean Slate,” a new comedy from Norman Lear’s Act III Productions, starring Laverne Cox and comedian George Wallace. The original comedy has been in development at Freevee since February 2021, back when the ad-supported streamer was known as IMDb TV.
“Clean Slate,” which comes from Cox, Wallace and Dan Ewen, centers on car wash owner Henry (Wallace), whose estranged child comes home to Alabama after 17 years. But he must do some soul searching as he comes to terms with the fact that his adult child is a trans woman, Desiree (Cox). There’s no word yet on an episodic order, when the series might shoot or an estimated premiere date.
Ewen serves as executive producer and writer on “Clean Slate,” and he has story credit along with Cox and Wallace. Cox will also serve as an executive producer on the show, while Wallace is a producer.
“Clean Slate,” which comes from Cox, Wallace and Dan Ewen, centers on car wash owner Henry (Wallace), whose estranged child comes home to Alabama after 17 years. But he must do some soul searching as he comes to terms with the fact that his adult child is a trans woman, Desiree (Cox). There’s no word yet on an episodic order, when the series might shoot or an estimated premiere date.
Ewen serves as executive producer and writer on “Clean Slate,” and he has story credit along with Cox and Wallace. Cox will also serve as an executive producer on the show, while Wallace is a producer.
- 9/6/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
On Norman Lear‘s 100th birthday, Amazon Freevee gifted him with a series greenlight.
The streaming service ordered his latest producorial effort, Clean Slate, to series. The original comedy, which hails from Lear’s Act III Productions and Sony Pictures Television, centers on an outspoken, old-school car wash owner, played by George Wallace, who’s thrilled his estranged child is finally coming home to Alabama after 17 years. But, per the show’s official logline, he has “a lot of soul searching to do” when that child returns not as a son but rather as a determined, proud, trans woman, played by trans actress Laverne Cox.
Dan Ewan will serve as the series’ showrunner, having written the pilot and conceived the story with Cox and Wallace. In addition to acting credits, Cox will serve as an executive producer and Wallace as a producer. Lear...
On Norman Lear‘s 100th birthday, Amazon Freevee gifted him with a series greenlight.
The streaming service ordered his latest producorial effort, Clean Slate, to series. The original comedy, which hails from Lear’s Act III Productions and Sony Pictures Television, centers on an outspoken, old-school car wash owner, played by George Wallace, who’s thrilled his estranged child is finally coming home to Alabama after 17 years. But, per the show’s official logline, he has “a lot of soul searching to do” when that child returns not as a son but rather as a determined, proud, trans woman, played by trans actress Laverne Cox.
Dan Ewan will serve as the series’ showrunner, having written the pilot and conceived the story with Cox and Wallace. In addition to acting credits, Cox will serve as an executive producer and Wallace as a producer. Lear...
- 9/6/2022
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Phyllis Somerville, an actress of film, television and Broadway, has died. She was 76.
Somerville died July 16 of natural causes at her home in New York City, her manager Paul Hilepo confirmed to TheWrap.
Somerville’s television roles have included “The Big C,” “Outsiders,” and most recently “Mare of Easttown,” which is set to debut in 2021.
Also Read: Joanna Cole, Author of 'Magic School Bus' Books, Dies at 75
Her film roles have included “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Little Children” and “Surviving Family.”
Her most recent theater role was as Mrs. DuBose in Aaron Sorkin’s Broadway production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 2018.
“She was the consummate professional who lived her dream of being a working actress her entire life in NYC which spanned over 45 years,” Hilepo, who worked with Somerville for over 28 years, said in a statement. “I will miss her greatly. Her friends and colleagues will miss her greatly as well.
Somerville died July 16 of natural causes at her home in New York City, her manager Paul Hilepo confirmed to TheWrap.
Somerville’s television roles have included “The Big C,” “Outsiders,” and most recently “Mare of Easttown,” which is set to debut in 2021.
Also Read: Joanna Cole, Author of 'Magic School Bus' Books, Dies at 75
Her film roles have included “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Little Children” and “Surviving Family.”
Her most recent theater role was as Mrs. DuBose in Aaron Sorkin’s Broadway production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 2018.
“She was the consummate professional who lived her dream of being a working actress her entire life in NYC which spanned over 45 years,” Hilepo, who worked with Somerville for over 28 years, said in a statement. “I will miss her greatly. Her friends and colleagues will miss her greatly as well.
- 7/17/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Whether or not you recognize the name Phyllis Somerville, chances are that you still know who she was. The veteran actress, who had appeared on the small screen in everything from House of Cards and Elementary to Fringe and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, died on July 16 of natural causes, our sister site Deadline reports.
The 76-year-old native of Iowa City, Ia., is probably most famous for her stints on Showtime’s The Big C and Wgn America’s Outsiders. But her list of television credits runs the gamut from soaps (One Life to Live, Guiding Light) to comedies (Sex and the City,...
The 76-year-old native of Iowa City, Ia., is probably most famous for her stints on Showtime’s The Big C and Wgn America’s Outsiders. But her list of television credits runs the gamut from soaps (One Life to Live, Guiding Light) to comedies (Sex and the City,...
- 7/17/2020
- by Charlie Mason
- TVLine.com
Phyllis Somerville, an actress whose character work spanned decades as well as television, film and the stage (Broadway’s To Kill A Mockingbird), died of natural causes at her home in New York City on July 16. She was 76.
Her death was announced by her manager Paul Hilepo.
Born in Iowa City, Iowa, and soon developing a longstanding desire to move to New York City to become a Radio City Rockette, Somerville was cast in her first Equity job after college when she scored a role at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The job was the first in a long line of stage credits, including roles in Over Here on Broadway, The Spitfire Grill at Playwrights Horizons Off Broadway, Happiness at Lincoln Center, Night Mother national tour, and various other theater productions.
Most recently, Somerville appeared on...
Her death was announced by her manager Paul Hilepo.
Born in Iowa City, Iowa, and soon developing a longstanding desire to move to New York City to become a Radio City Rockette, Somerville was cast in her first Equity job after college when she scored a role at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The job was the first in a long line of stage credits, including roles in Over Here on Broadway, The Spitfire Grill at Playwrights Horizons Off Broadway, Happiness at Lincoln Center, Night Mother national tour, and various other theater productions.
Most recently, Somerville appeared on...
- 7/17/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Phyllis Somerville, an actor known for The Big C and Little Children, died of natural causes at her home in New York City on July 16, her manager Paul Hilepo told The Hollywood Reporter. She was 76.
"She was the consummate professional who lived her dream of being a working actress her entire life in NYC which spanned over 45 years," wrote Hilepo in a statement to THR. He was first her agent and then her manager, working with Somerville for over 28 years. "I will miss her greatly. Her friends and colleagues will miss her greatly as well."
Somerville ...
"She was the consummate professional who lived her dream of being a working actress her entire life in NYC which spanned over 45 years," wrote Hilepo in a statement to THR. He was first her agent and then her manager, working with Somerville for over 28 years. "I will miss her greatly. Her friends and colleagues will miss her greatly as well."
Somerville ...
- 7/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
NBC's forthcoming streaming service, Peacock, is ramping up its development slate, despite the service not being fully revealed to the masses.
The network unveiled six additional series it has in the works, including a MacGruber TV series starring Will Forte, as well as a Laverne Cox-Norman Lear series titled Clean Slate.
They join the Queer as Folk reboot as programs under development. Neither of the shows has received series orders.
Here is the full list of new shows in the works.
The Adventure Zone
Based on the McElroy Family’s wildly popular Dungeons & Dragons podcast and No. 1 New York Times best-selling graphic novel series, The Adventure Zone is a side-splitting and heart-filled fantasy animated comedy series that follows an unlikely, poorly equipped trio and their beleaguered Dungeon Master as they reluctantly embark on a quest to save their world.
Writer/executive producer: Adam Higgs (Orphan Black)
Executive producers: Clint McElroy,...
The network unveiled six additional series it has in the works, including a MacGruber TV series starring Will Forte, as well as a Laverne Cox-Norman Lear series titled Clean Slate.
They join the Queer as Folk reboot as programs under development. Neither of the shows has received series orders.
Here is the full list of new shows in the works.
The Adventure Zone
Based on the McElroy Family’s wildly popular Dungeons & Dragons podcast and No. 1 New York Times best-selling graphic novel series, The Adventure Zone is a side-splitting and heart-filled fantasy animated comedy series that follows an unlikely, poorly equipped trio and their beleaguered Dungeon Master as they reluctantly embark on a quest to save their world.
Writer/executive producer: Adam Higgs (Orphan Black)
Executive producers: Clint McElroy,...
- 1/16/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Ahead of its formal debut Thursday, NBCUniversal has put six projects in development at Peacock, including a revival of Will Forte’s “MacGruber.”
Additional projects include a transgender themed drama executive produced by and starring Laverne Cox, a comedy based on the McElroy family’s “Dungeons & Dragons” podcast, and others from Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling.
“MacGruber” will see Forte return as his “SNL” character, a spoof of “MacGyver.” The character appeared in a number sketches and starred in a 2010 movie alongside Kristen Wiig, Ryan Phillippe, Val Kilmer and Maya Rudolph. The character was created by Jorma Taccone, a member of The Lonely Island musical comedy group that also featured “SNL” alum Andy Samberg.
Also Read: 'Punky Brewster' Revival Ordered to Series at NBCU's Peacock Streaming Service
In the Peacock revival, MacGruber gets out of prison after more than a decade. Here is the rest of the...
Additional projects include a transgender themed drama executive produced by and starring Laverne Cox, a comedy based on the McElroy family’s “Dungeons & Dragons” podcast, and others from Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling.
“MacGruber” will see Forte return as his “SNL” character, a spoof of “MacGyver.” The character appeared in a number sketches and starred in a 2010 movie alongside Kristen Wiig, Ryan Phillippe, Val Kilmer and Maya Rudolph. The character was created by Jorma Taccone, a member of The Lonely Island musical comedy group that also featured “SNL” alum Andy Samberg.
Also Read: 'Punky Brewster' Revival Ordered to Series at NBCU's Peacock Streaming Service
In the Peacock revival, MacGruber gets out of prison after more than a decade. Here is the rest of the...
- 1/16/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Ahead of Comcast’s investor presentation today to officially unveil NBCUniversal’s upcoming streaming service Peacock, the platform has announced its inaugural development slate. It includes comedies MacGruber, starring and co-written by Will Forte; and Clean Slate, starring and co-written by Laverne Cox and George Wallace. Creative auspices on Peacock’s series in development also include Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Norman Lear and Lorne Michaels, among others. The projects come from within NBCUniversal Content Studios — from both Universal TV and Ucp — as well as from outside studios, Warner Bros. and Sony.
From the get-go, Peacock’s original series slate had a comedy bent, with sequels to sitcoms Saved By the Bell and Punky Brewster among the platform’ first orders, along with pickups for A.P. Bio and Ed Helms-Mike Schur comedy Rutherford Falls.
The streamer’s development slate continues that programming direction. Five of the six projects on it are comedies,...
From the get-go, Peacock’s original series slate had a comedy bent, with sequels to sitcoms Saved By the Bell and Punky Brewster among the platform’ first orders, along with pickups for A.P. Bio and Ed Helms-Mike Schur comedy Rutherford Falls.
The streamer’s development slate continues that programming direction. Five of the six projects on it are comedies,...
- 1/16/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
“MacGruber” and Laverne Cox are officially in business with Peacock.
NBCUniversal’s nascent streaming service is developing two comedy series — one based on the character Will Forte originated on “Saturday Night Live” and another starring Cox with the legendary Norman Lear attached to executive produce.
In “MacGruber,” after rotting in prison for over a decade, America’s ultimate hero and uber patriot MacGruber (played by Forte) is finally released. His mission: to take down a mysterious villain from his past—Brigadier Commander Enos Queeth. With the entire world in the crosshairs, MacGruber, Vicki, and Piper must race against time to defeat the forces of evil, only to find that evil may be lurking within.
Forte is a writer and executive producer on the project in addition to starring. Jorma Taccone and John Solomon are also writing and executive producing. Lorne Michaels, John Goldwyn, Andrew Singer, Erin David of Broadway Video will executive produce.
NBCUniversal’s nascent streaming service is developing two comedy series — one based on the character Will Forte originated on “Saturday Night Live” and another starring Cox with the legendary Norman Lear attached to executive produce.
In “MacGruber,” after rotting in prison for over a decade, America’s ultimate hero and uber patriot MacGruber (played by Forte) is finally released. His mission: to take down a mysterious villain from his past—Brigadier Commander Enos Queeth. With the entire world in the crosshairs, MacGruber, Vicki, and Piper must race against time to defeat the forces of evil, only to find that evil may be lurking within.
Forte is a writer and executive producer on the project in addition to starring. Jorma Taccone and John Solomon are also writing and executive producing. Lorne Michaels, John Goldwyn, Andrew Singer, Erin David of Broadway Video will executive produce.
- 1/16/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Paul Hilepo is shuttering the Hartig Hilepo Agency at the end of this month. After a 25-year run as an agent, Hilepo will be starting a management company, Ph Entertainment Group. Joining him will be long-term clients, Laverne Cox, Ken Leung Phyllis Somerville, Debbi Morgan, Samrat Chakrabarti, among others. In addition to managing his actor clients, Hilepo plans to help develop and produce projects for them. Hartig Hilepo agent Liz Rosier also will switch to management…...
- 4/18/2016
- Deadline TV
Paul Hilepo is shuttering the Hartig Hilepo Agency at the end of this month. After a 25-year run as an agent, Hilepo will be starting a management company, Ph Entertainment Group. Joining him will be long-term clients, Laverne Cox, Ken Leung Phyllis Somerville, Debbi Morgan, Samrat Chakrabarti, among others. In addition to managing his actor clients, Hilepo plans to help develop and produce projects for them. Hartig Hilepo agent Liz Rosier also will switch to management…...
- 4/18/2016
- Deadline
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