Actor Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton, In The Heights) has just been announced to star in a new untitled comedy pilot for ABC, according to Deadline.
The project comes from executive producers Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone under their Simpson Street Productions, as well as executive producers Odom Jr., Touré Roberts and Sarah Jakes-Roberts, and Saladin Patterson, who will also write.
The multi-camera series chronicles the story of two pastors—Leslie, played by Odom Jr. and Hope—at a young, diverse, progressive church in L.A. Inspired by the lives of real-life pastors Touré and Sarah Jakes Roberts, the pilot explores their gifts for uniting people across differing backgrounds, but their struggles uniting the members of their own family.
“Kerry Washington is one of the most formidable artists of my generation,” Odom Jr. told Deadline. “We’ve been searching for the better part of two years to find an idea about which we both felt passionate enough to dedicate ourselves. I’ve gone to Touré’s church for over fifteen years. He is a unique, contemporary, and very necessary voice. We are thrilled that ABC is allowing us the opportunity to bring Touré and Sarah’s modern views to an even wider audience in what will be a joyful and hopeful 30-minutes every week.”
Washington is currently on Broadway in the new play American Son, for which she also serves as a producer. She previously appeared on Broadway in David Mamet’s Race. Odom Jr. can currently be seen on the CBS All Access series One Dollar. He won a Tony for his performance as Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway.