Common Joins Showtime Pilot as Executive Producer

Chicago native and Grammy/Oscar award winning artist, Common has been named one of the executive producers for a coming-of-age drama pilot of Showtime along with Elwood Reid (“The Bridge”).
The pilot, created and written by Lena Waithe will also serve as executive producer and hails from Chicago.
Waithe produced “Dear White People” and wrote the viral video “Shit Black Girls Say.” According Variety.com, she is considered one of the top ten comics to watch on the scene.
Casting has already begun and filming will take place this month in Chicago. The cast includes both familiar faces and new ones as more will be added to the line-up.
Alex Henderson (“Empire”, “Sense8”)
Aisha Hinds (“Under the Dome”)
Olivia Dawson (“Empire”)
Jason Weavor, singer-turned-actor (“Drumline”)

The tough streets of Chicago seem to be a director’s ‘wet dream’ to capture on film. Spike Lee’s “Chi Raq” was a constant presence on the South Side over the summer which will premiere Amazon.com’s streaming channel.

We’re confident that the talents of both Waithe and Common who hail from the South Side will give an authentic and genuine narrative of the young characters in a way that personify Chicagoans. What a great way to create more work and jobs for people of color in the film industry and in their backyard. 

common Meeting of the minds after our 1st table read for “The Chi ” a show we’re co-producing for @Showtime written by the remarkable Lena Waithe (Chicagos Own @hillmangrad ) It was more than fulfilling to walk into a room and see this group of young actors who are now the voices of young black Chicago and a generation that needs to be heard . It feels good to be able to bring it back home in a different way and to have Chicago actors and a Chicago crew working on the show. Ay Yo ……… “Feel Good to be Home”. #TheChi
Read more at https://websta.me/n/common#7AGQL16XggfSvLzx.99