A Black Lady Sketch Show Season 4 Coming Soon; ABC's Beauty and the Beast Special Rounds Out Cast

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

A Black Lady Sketch Show Season 4 Coming Soon; ABC's Beauty and the Beast Special Rounds Out Cast

Production has commenced on the fourth season of Robin Thede's Emmy®-winning HBO Original sketch comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show, in Los Angeles. The narrative sketch comedy series features a core cast of Black women living relatable and hilarious experiences in a magical reality that subverts traditional expectations. The first three seasons of the series have garnered 13 Emmy® nominations and three wins. Season three won two Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series and Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming. Returning this season as the core cast members are Robin Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, and Skye Townsend along with three new featured players: DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, and Angel Laketa Moore joining.

Beauty and the Beast - Martin Short, David Alan Grier, Shania Twain, Leo Abelo Perry, Jon Jon Briones, and Rizwan Manji

ABC announced six additional talented performers joining the highly anticipated animated and live-action blended special, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. Celebrated comedian and Emmy(R) Award-winning actor Martin Short has been tapped to play Lumière; Tony(R) Award winner David Alan Grier will play Cogsworth; Rizwan Manji joins the cast as Gaston's loyal sidekick, LeFou; and Jon Jon Briones will play Belle's loving father, Maurice. Viewers are also in for a major treat as five-time GRAMMY Award(R) winner and top-selling female country pop artist Shania Twain is joined by rising star Leo Abelo Perry, playing everyone's favorite mother-son duo, Mrs. Potts and Chip. Presented by The Wonderful World of Disney, the two-hour reimagining of the beloved story of Beauty and the Beast will be taped in front of a live audience at Disney Studios and will air Thursday, Dec. 15 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC and on Disney+ the next day.

As previously announced, five-time GRAMMY and Academy Award(R)-winning singer-songwriter H.E.R. will play the role of Belle; Tony, Emmy and GRAMMY-nominated artist Josh Groban will play the Beast; Tony and GRAMMY-nominated star Joshua Henry has been tapped to play Gaston; and EGOT winner and legend Rita Moreno will serve as the night's narrator. Jon M. Chu will executive produce the special and Hamish Hamilton is set to direct, taking viewers on a memorable journey through the classic enchanted tale.