Amazon Prime Video’s new comedy series has just expanded its cast with the addition of Weruche Opia (‘Genius: MLK/X’). Opia will take on a recurring role in the as-yet-untitled show, joining previously cast Riz Ahmed, Guz Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, Aasiya Shah, and Sajid Hasan. Ritu Arya (‘Umbrella Academy’) has also been confirmed as a recurring cast member.
Riz Ahmed, who serves as the writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner, will headline the series as Shah Latif, a struggling actor on the brink of landing his dream role. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn as he becomes entangled in a surreal existential crisis and a conspiracy thriller. The series promises to blend humor with intrigue, creating a unique narrative experience.
Character details remain under wraps.
Opia’s career has been on a rapid ascent following her BAFTA-nominated role in ‘I May Destroy You’. She has since appeared in notable series like ‘Genius: MLK/X’ and ‘High Desert’, as well as films such as ‘Slumberland’.
Ahmed, who won an Oscar for his short film The Long Goodbye, has assembled a diverse team of creatives for the production of the series. Emmy winner Ben Karlin will co-showrun and executive produce alongside Ahmed. The writers’ room includes Dipika Guha (‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’), Prashanth Venkataramanujam (‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj’), and novelist Fatima Farheen Mirza (‘A Place for Us’).
Produced by Jax Media and Amazon MGM Studios, the series marks Ahmed’s return to television after his acclaimed performance in HBO’s The Night Of, for which he won an Emmy. The project is part of Ahmed’s broader collaboration with Amazon under his Left Handed production banner, which continues to produce innovative and culturally resonant content.
Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, praised Ahmed’s vision, stating, “Riz Ahmed is a gifted writer, actor, and producer, and we have been energized by his passion. This series is sure to delight our global Prime Video customers and make them laugh.”