Sixteen-year-old Marsai Martin has been given a pilot order from Disney Channel for a series called Saturdays developed by her company, Genius Entertainment.
(ABC/Kwaku Alston)
What’s Happening:
- First reported by Deadline, black-ish star Marsai Martin’s Genius Entertainment is developing a pilot for Disney Channel.
- The series, currently named Saturdays, follows a girl named Paris Johnson (Danielle Jalade) and her competitive roller skating crew who compete at a hip skating rink called “Saturdays.”
- Adding to the story, Paris has been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, which provides some challenges with leading her team and also makes her parents concerned for her safety.
- Told in a single-camera format, the pilot is being directed by Charles Stone III, who has worked with Marsai Martin on black-ish.
- Norman Vance Jr. (Moesha) will write the pilot and serve as an executive producer
- Genius Entertainment’s co-founders, Marsai Martin and her parents Joshua and Carol, will also executive produce alongside Nicole Dow.
Saturdays Cast:
- Danielle Jalade – Paris Johnson
- Omar Gooding – Cal Johnson
- Golden Brooks – Deb Johnson
- Jermaine Harris – London Johnson
- Daria Johns – Simone
- Samantha Smith – Roxy
- Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker – Duchess
What They’re Saying:
- Rafael Garcia, vice president, Development, Disney Branded Television: “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. 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.”