Marsai Martin is executive producing a new show for the Disney Channel!
It was just announced that the 16-year-old and her Genius Productions company are producing the single-camera comedy Saturdays.
“Y’all … I’m so happy to finally be able to talk about this,” Marsai shared on Twitter.
The new series has only been given a pilot order so far, and follows Paris, who, since the age of four, has been honing her skills on the cool parquet floor of SATURDAYS, a local skating rink owned and operated by a former ’90s hip-hop back-up dancer. With its neon lights, galaxy-painted rink and killer D.J. spinning the latest music, SATURDAYS is the place to show and prove.
Paris is the leader of a skate crew and is determined to take them all the way to the top. However, she has sickle cell disease, and when it flares up, it’ll take every ounce of determination to prove the doubters wrong, including her concerned family.
Danielle Jalade (pictured here, on the right) has been cast in the lead role of Paris Johnson, a 13-year-old girl who has spent most of her life roller-skating. Her parents Cal and Deb have been cast with Omar Gooding and Golden Brooks. Jermaine Harris will play her older brother and aspiring DJ, London.
Daria Johns and newcomer Samantha A. Smith have been cast as her best friends, Simone and Roxy, while Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker will appear in a recurring role as roller rink owner Duchess.
“When we met with Marsai about this project, we couldn’t have been more impressed with her passion for diverse storytelling and commitment to female empowerment,” Rafael Garcia, vice president, Development, Disney Branded Television, said in a statement. “We’re extremely excited to team up with Norman and the Genius Entertainment team to tap into roller-skating culture in a way that’s truly both authentic and aspirational for our audience.”
If you missed it, Marsai recently opened up about once being told there weren’t opportunities out there for her.
