Netflix Sitcom with Michelle Buteau Rounds Out Cast; HBO Max Renews Harley Quinn for Season 4

Thursday, September 01, 2022

Netflix Sitcom with Michelle Buteau Rounds Out Cast; HBO Max Renews Harley Quinn for Season 4

Two more stars have joined an upcoming Netflix comedy series: Tone Bell and Tasha Smith join Michelle Buteau in new series Survival of the Thickest, which centers on Mavis Beaumont (Michelle Buteau). Black, plus-size and newly single (not by her choice!), Mavis unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life as a struggling stylist. She's determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body-positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss. The scripted comedy is based on Buteau's acclaimed book of essays. Tone Bell will play Khalil, Mavis's bestie and first phone call since high school. He's a creative and talented artist who has always prided himself on making life choices that keep things simple, affordable (nothing wrong with clipping coupons!), and uncomplicated. But now in his very late 30s, he starts to question what really matters and if life is worth complicating for the right person. Tasha Smith will play Marley, an early 50's self-made millionaire. She's a woman of NYC status who always has a fresh luxury manicure and the best day and night serums money can buy (we love to see it!). She gives that Aries tell-it-like-it-is energy, but there's still an ever-present warm big sister vibe. She just wants the best for everybody, and she knows what the best is.

Linda Mendoza (Never Have I Ever, 30 Rock, Girs5Eva, Brooklyn 9-9) will direct the first two episodes of Survival of the Thickest. Linda most recently wrapped as executive producer and director of Harlem. The series is created by Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel and will be executive produced by A24 and Anne Hong from Mosaic. Sanchez-Witzel is also the showrunner for the series.

Harley Quinn

The critically-acclaimed Max Original adult-animated series Harley Quinn has been renewed for a fourth season, ahead of the season three finale on September 15. Sarah Peters (Workaholics, Master of None, Nathan For You), who has written on the series since season one and currently serves as consulting producer, will be elevated to executive producer and serve as showrunner for season four. In season three of the biting and uproarious adult animated comedy series, Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) and Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) wrap up their "Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour" and return to Gotham as the new power couple of DC villainy. Along with their ragtag crew – King Shark (Ron Funches), Clayface (Alan Tudyk), Frank the Plant (JB Smoove) - "Harlivy" strives to become the best version of themselves while also working towards Ivy's long desired plan of transforming Gotham into an Eden paradise. Starring Kaley Cuoco (Harley Quinn), Lake Bell (Poison Ivy), Ron Funches (King Shark), JB Smoove (Frank the Plant), Alan Tudyk (Clayface/The Joker), Matt Oberg (Kite Man), Christopher Meloni (Commissioner Gordon), Andy Daly (Two-Face), Diedrich Bader (Batman/Bruce Wayne), James Adomian (Bane), Sanaa Lathan (Selina Kyle), Briana Cuoco (Batgirl/Barbara Gordon), Harvey Guillen (Nightwing).