During its day at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour, Showtime made several announcements - including a Season 4 renewal for The Affair, series pickups for drama The Chi and comedy White Famous, and premiere dates for Twin Peaks, Guerrilla and I'm Dying Up Here.
The Season 4 pickup of The Affair comes a few weeks ahead of its season finale on Sunday, January 29 - which was mostly shot in Paris.
In its third season, the drama stars Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, Joshua Jackson, Julia Goldani Telles, Jake Siciliano, Jadon Sand, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Omar Metwally and Iréne Jacob.
Sarah Treem and Hagai Levi created the drama. They executive produce with Jeffrey Reiner, Eric Overmyer and Anya Epstein.
The Chi is a coming-of-age drama that follows half a dozen characters navigating the South Side of Chicago, in which growing up can be a matter of life and death. Jason Mitchell (Straight Outta Compton) has joined the cast as Brandon, an ambitious and confident young man who dreams about opening a restaurant of his own someday. He is torn between the promise of a new life and his responsibility to his mother and teenage brother.
Lena Waithe (Master of None) created the drama. Elwood Reid (The Bridge) will serve as showrunner for the first season. Waithe and Reid will executive produce with Common, Aaron Kaplan and Rick Famuyiwa, who will direct the first episode. Fox 21 Television Studios will produce for Showtime.
Based on Jamie Foxx's experiences coming up through the business, White Famous focuses on a talented, young African-American comedian, Floyd Mooney (Saturday Night Live's Jay Pharaoh), whose star is rising, forcing him to navigate the treacherous waters of maintaing his credibility as he begins to cross-over toward becoming "white famous."
The cast also includes Megalyn Echikunwoke, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Jacob Ming-Trent and Lonnie Chavis. Foxx will recur throughout the first season, while Stephen Tobolowsky guest stars in the pilot.
Tom Kapinos (Californication) created the comedy series. He will executive produce with Foxx and pilot director Tim Story. Lionsgate Television produces for Showtime. As of right now, Kapinos is planning on serving as showrunner for White Famous as well as FOX's Lucifer.
The six-part limited series Guerrilla starring Idris Elba will premiere on Sunday, April 16 at 9/8c.
The series is a love story set against the backdrop of one of the most politically explosive times in UK history. It tells the story of a couple (Babou Ceesay and Freida Pinto) whose relationship and values are tested when they liberate a political prisoner and form a radical underground cell. Their ultimate target becomes the Black Power Desk, a true-life, secretive counterintelligence unit within Special Branch dedicated to crushing all forms of black activism.
John Ridley (American Crime) created the drama, which was produced as a partnership between Showtime and Sky Atlantic. Ridley and Elba executive produce with Patrick Spence, Katie Swinden, Tracy Underwood and Michael McDonald. ABC Signature and Fifty Fathoms produce.
New hourlong comedy series I'm Dying Up Here will debut on Sunday, June 4 at 10/9c.
The series explores Los Angeles' famed '70s stand-up comedy scene where the careers of legends such as David Letterman, Jay Leno and Richard Pryor were launched. The series delves into the inspired, damaged and complicated psyches of those who stand alone in front of an audience "dying" for fame, fortune and, with any luck, a shot on Johnny Carson.
The cast includes Melissa Leo, Ari Graynor, Michael Angarano, Clark Duke, Andrew Santino, Erik Griffin, RJ Cyler, Al Madrigal and Jake lacy.
Dave Flebotte created the series. He will executive produce with Jim Carrey, Michael Aguilar and Christina Wayne. Endemol Shine Studios and Assembly Entertainment produce.
And finally, the new season of critically acclaimed drama Twin Peaks will begin on Sunday, May 21 at 9/8c. with a two-hour premiere. The new season will also include 18 episodes. Additionally, after the premiere, Episodes 3 and 4 will be made available on Showtime's digital platform.
The series was once again created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. Lynch filmed the entire season as a movie and then broke down the material into 18 episodes. Kyle MacLachlan is set to topline a very expansive cast.
