NBC has ordered a pair of comedy pilots from Marlon Wayans and executive producer Tina Fey to series, TheWrap has learned.
“Marlon” is loosely inspired by the real life of Wayans, who will play himself. The show centers on a loving but immature father committed to co-parenting his two kids with his ex-wife. The cast also includes Essence Atkins, Notlim Taylor, Amir O’Neil, Bresha Webb and Diallo Riddle
Christopher Moynihan serves as writer and executive producer. Wayans, Rick Alvarez, Michael Rotenberg and director Andy Ackerman also executive produce. “Marlon” is produced by Universal Television, Wayans Brothers Entertainment, Bicycle Path Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment.
The other series from Fey, “Great News,” follows Katie, an up-and-coming news producer, who finds out her overbearing mom (Andrea Martin) has rejoined the workforce as an intern at the station where Katie works.
The cast includes Briga Heelan, Martin, Adam Campbell, Kimrie Lewis-Davis, John Michael Higgins and Horatio Sanz.
“30 Rock” writer Tracey Wigfield serves as writer and executive producer. Fey, Robert Carlock and David Miner also executive produce. Beth McCarthy-Miller directs. “Great News” is produced by Universal Television, Little Stranger and 3 Arts Entertainment.
This is the latest series order this week for NBC, which has greenlit several new shows. Dick Wolf‘s new drama “Chicago Justice” got an official pick up on Thursday, while “Midnight, Texas” from “True Blood” author Charlaine Harris was picked up today.
The network also gave series orders to two new comedies. “Powerless,” set in the DC Comics universe and starring Vanessa Hudgens, and “Trial & Error,” starring John Lithgow and Nicholas D’Agosto. NBC also ordered a new dramady from Dan Fogelman called “This Is Us” starring Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia.