Apple TV is developing American Comfort (working title), a new series from creator Kenya Barris with Danielle Brooks set to star and executive produce. Oprah Winfrey will serve as executive producer.
The comedy is inspired by the life of Harlem restaurateur Melba Wilson, who will also executive produce. The studios on the project include Kapital Entertainment, BET Studios and Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society.
What is ‘American Comfort’ about?
Per the official description, the series “explores the heart, humor and hospitality that has transformed her eponymous Harlem restaurant Melba’s from a neighborhood eatery into a soul food landmark deeply embedded into the cultural fabric of its community.”
Wilson has described the spirit of the restaurant: “It’s the mother and daughter reconnecting over a bowl of mac and cheese, two old friends clinking glasses, strangers becoming kin over a shared table and then, suddenly, the entire restaurant erupts into a soulful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Happy Birthday.’”
Who is Melba Wilson?
A James Beard Award-nominated chef and restaurateur, Wilson has spent more than 20 years building a Harlem hospitality institution, expanding Melba’s to locations including Central Park, Grand Central Terminal and Newark’s Prudential Center. She has served over 11 million meals.
Barris is set to write and executive produce alongside Winfrey and Carla Gardini for Harpo Entertainment, Aaron Kaplan for Kapital Entertainment, Leyah Barris for Khalabo Ink Society and Aisha Summers-Burke for BET Studios, which is under CBS Studios. Neema Barnette, Jaiden Kaplan, Dylan Hammalian and Jill McGrath also executive produce. The project is developed by Apple Studios and Kapital Entertainment.
Featured image photo credit: Photo Credit: Mat Hayward / Jacqueline Patton Photography; All courtesy photos provided by Apple TV Publicity.
Leave a Reply