Shane Paul McGhie and Dasan Frazier are set to star as the leads in Issa Rae’s new half-hour comedy pilot at HBO, deadline.com reported. The project, titled Untitled Male Friendship Show, follows two young men navigating ambition and the high-stakes world of professional boxing in Las Vegas.
Issa Rae produces HBO comedy about Las Vegas boxing
Issa Rae serves as the writer and executive producer for the half-hour comedy pilot at HBO. The narrative centers on Menzel, played by Shane Paul McGhie, who works as a 28-year-old barber and aspiring sports manager. Menzel operates as the professional best friend to JB, played by Dasan Frazier, a 27-year-old up-and-coming boxer. Together, the characters confront loneliness, insecurity, and the dual nature of success within the boxing industry in Las Vegas, according to deadline.com.
Prentice Penny Directs and Showruns the Las Vegas Pilot
Prentice Penny joins the production as showrunner, executive producer, and pilot director. Penny previously collaborated closely with Rae on Insecure. Production backing comes from Hoorae, with Jax Clark executive producing alongside A Penny For Your Thoughts, Jonathan Berry, and Dave Becky for 3 Arts Entertainment, deadline.com reported.
Shane Paul McGhie and Dasan Frazier bring television experience
Shane Paul McGhie brings television experience from guest roles in Poker Face, Abbott Elementary, and Grey’s Anatomy, alongside a feature role as Jevon in Andrew Cohn’s film The Last Shift. McGhie is represented by Innovative Artists Entertainment and Josiah Akinyele at ColorCreative, according to deadline.com. Dasan Frazier recently appeared in A Different World, which Netflix renewed for a second season. Frazier also holds an upcoming recurring role in Delphi, a Prime Video series emerging from the Creed universe via Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society. Frazier is represented by Paradigm, Tassell Talent Group, and Fox Rothschild.
Frequently Asked Questions About the HBO Pilot
What is the premise of Issa Rae’s new HBO pilot?
The half-hour comedy centers on 28-year-old barber and aspiring sports manager Menzel, played by Shane Paul McGhie, and his best friend JB, a 27-year-old up-and-coming boxer played by Dasan Frazier, as they navigate the professional boxing scene in Las Vegas, deadline.com reported.
Who is directing and showrunning the project?
Prentice Penny serves as the showrunner, executive producer, and pilot director for the HBO production, reuniting with Rae after their work together on Insecure, according to deadline.com.
What upcoming projects feature Dasan Frazier?
Dasan Frazier appears in A Different World on Netflix and holds an upcoming recurring role in Prime Video’s Delphi, a series from the Creed universe produced by Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, deadline.com reported.
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