Yvonne Orji to Produce Autobiographical Comedy Series with Oprah Winfrey

Insecure may be coming to an end, but Yvonne Orji is already working on her next project. The comedian and actress teamed with Oprah Winfrey, and David Oyelowo to executive produce an autobiographical comedy series based on her life called First Gen.

Orji shared the news with fans via her social media account. “Well…when one door closes. God still got a blessin’ witchyo name on it,” she captioned in an Instagram post. “The trailer I shot in 2015 for this family sitcom I desperately wanted to create is what helped me get an audition for @insecurehbo. Five years later (after being told ’no’ several times), my lil’ engine that could finally has a home with the @disneyplus family. Thank you, @davidoyelowo, for believing in the dream from jump, and lady @oprah for coming on board as our fairy godmother. I’ve been very vocal about my desire to highlight stories from the continent, and I’m grateful to have this opportunity to do so.”

The series will focus on Orji’s experience as a Nigerian immigrant trying to adapt to American culture while still honoring her Nigerian culture.

“As a child, she’s caught between trying to honor her parents and culture while simultaneously trying to assimilate to American life,” according to Deadline.

Oyelowo will also executive produce the series via his production company Yoruba Saxon Productions, and Winfrey will serve as an executive producer via Harpo Productions. Winfrey shared her excitement about the project saying to Orji, “We’re gonna have to celebrate over some Jollof when the world opens up again.”

Orji hasn’t shied away from using her personal experiences in her comedy routines and writing. In 2020, she made audiences laugh in her stand up comedy show, Momma, I Made It!, which focused on her life growing up in America while living in a traditional Nigerian home.

The news comes after Issa Rae’s announcement that season five of Insecure will be the show’s final season. First Gen will stream on Disney+.

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