Well, That Was Fast: Jay Pharoah Is Headlining a Series on Showtime

Just days after the announcement he was leaving Saturday Night Live, Jay Pharoah will the lead the show White Famous, a half-hour comedy from Jamie Foxx on Showtime.

The show, based on an idea from Foxx, is about a talented young African-American comedian named Floyd Mooney (Pharoah), who is learning to retain his credibility as he begins to cross-over towards becoming "white famous." The announcement was made by David Nevins, President and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc. at the 2016 Television Critics Association's Summer Press Tour.

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Nevis said Pharoah had been in talks with the network before his release from SNL was announced earlier this week, knowing he was in his final stretch on the show. Showtime was prepared to work around his schedule, Nevins said, but once the announcement came, it became easier.

Tim Story, director behind Barbershop, Fantastic Four, Ride Along and Think Like A Man, will serve as executive producer and director.