Janelle James is developing a new comedy series at Hulu with “Happy Endings” creator David Caspe.
Titled “Rock City,” the show would follow a woman who returns to her hometown in the Virgin Islands after she inherits a local tourist trap from her estranged father. According to the logline, she “quickly realizes that she’s been left much more than a simple beachfront bar and grill.”
According to a source familiar with the project, it’s too early in the development process to determine whether James would also act in the show, but she doesn’t currently have a deal to star. “Rock City” hails from Universal Television and is executive produced by James and Caspe.
James is best known for playing Ava Coleman in ABC’s “Abbott Elementary.” Her performance as the eccentric and self-obsessed school principal has earned James a 2026 Critics Choice Award for best supporting actress in a comedy series, as well as four Emmy nominations and nods at the Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards and Gotham Awards.
Prior to joining the mockumentary sitcom, James was a writer and actor for Showtime’s “Black Monday” and Apple TV’s animated series “Central Park.” She is also a stand-up comedian who has toured with Chris Rock, Amy Schumer and David Cross, and her latest set can be seen in Season 3 of Netflix’s “The Stand Ups.” In 2020, she was one of Variety‘s 10 Comics to Watch.
Caspe is the television creator, writer and producer behind ABC’s cult comedy “Happy Endings.” He co-created “Black Monday” starring Don Cheadle, Regina Hall and Andrew Rannells, as well as Peacock’s “Mr. Throwback” starring Stephen Curry and Adam Pally.
James is represented by CAA and Granderson Des Rocher. Caspe is repped by Christie Smith at Rise Management, Zach Druker at WME and Howard Fishman at Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP.
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