Essence Atkins And Tetona Jackson To Star In Wayans’ Family Comedy Pilot At CBS

Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. are teaming up with Essence Atkins and Tetona Jackson in a new CBS family comedy. The project, which was ordered for a pilot in February, has also brought on Andy Ackerman as the director and executive producer of the pilot.

The show centers around a legendary talk radio host, known as "Poppa," played by Wayans, who is happily divorced and finds himself facing new challenges at work and at home. When a new female co-host is hired, his perspective is challenged on air. Meanwhile, at home, he still finds himself parenting his adult son, played by Wayans Jr., who is a brilliant dreamer trying to balance pursuing his passion with being a responsible father and husband.

Atkins joins the cast as Dr. Ivy Reed, a smart and bold radio show host who gives modern advice to her listeners on "Ask Doctor Reed." When the network decides to modernize Poppa's outdated routine, Ivy becomes his new co-host, challenging his old-school arguments and igniting a new rivalry.

Jackson plays Nina, Junior's detail-oriented and loving wife, who is his biggest supporter but also his biggest motivator. Nina hopes Junior can focus more on work while pursuing his dream, as she's already raising two kids and can't handle another distraction. Despite the family drama, Nina and Junior always work together as a team.

Atkins currently recurs on the BET+ series First Wives Club and ABC's The Company You Keep, while Jackson is recurring on Freeform's Good Trouble and had previously recurred on ABC's Home Economics. Wayans, Kevin Hench, and Wayans Jr. executive produce the show. CBS Studios is producing the show and Kameron Tarlow, VP Productions, will oversee the project for Two Shakes Entertainment, which is based at CBS Studios.