Awkwafinahas been tapped for more projects than I can keep track of but the one we shouldn’t let get lost in the midst of it all is her upcoming 10-episode series for Comedy Central. The show’s title has been confirmed asAwkwafina is Nora From Queens, which indicates the very loosely autobiographical nature of a show based on the rapper-turned-actor’s life (her birth name is Nora Lum and she’s actually from the NYC borough of Queens).
The real coup forAwkwafina is Nora From Queensis the fact that the episode directors slate has been announced and a majority of them are women. Similar to Awkwafina’s push for anall-women writer’s roomon this Comedy Central series, there will be a distinctly female eye guiding the gaze of these episodes, too.Varietyreports the episodes director slate includesNatasha Lyonne, who has been busy staking out a new path as a director recently. In addition to her latest directing gig for Awkwafina’s series, Lyonne has directed episodes ofOrange is the New BlackandRussian Doll. The other female directors who have been hired forAwkwafina is Nora From QueensareJamie Babbit(SiliconValley),Lucia Aniello(Broad City), andAnu Valia(Lucia, Before and After). DirectorsDaniel ScheinertandDaniel Kwan(Swiss Army Man) andSteven Tsuchida(Younger) round out the slate.
Variety offers up a summary forAwkwafina is Nora From Queens, too: “A half-hour scripted comedy loosely based on Awkwafina’s real life growing up in Flushing. Raised by her dad (BD Wong) and grandma (Lori Tan Chinn) alongside her cousin (Bowen Yang), the series centers on Nora who leans on her family as she navigates life and young adulthood in outer borough-NYC.” The series will debut on Comedy Central in January 2020.
Awkwafina is arguably one of the most booked and busy actors in Hollywood right now. Things really kicked into high gear for her after appearing inOcean’s 8andCrazy Rich Asiansin 2018. This year, Awkwafina has already turned up inThe Farewell(her first lead role in a feature film), the indieParadise Hills, andThe Angry Birds Movie 2. Later this year, we can catch her inJumanji: The Next Level. That’s not to mention all of her TV work, which includes voice acting roles in Netflix’sTuca & BertieandThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
If you’re head’s spinning now, just wait. Among the many highlights coming our way in the next year or two, in addition toAwkwafina is Nora From Queens, is a co-starring role in the MCU movieShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsand appearing in Disney’s live-action remake ofThe Little Mermaidas the voice of Scuttle the Seagull. Whew.
