Disney Channel & Marsai Martin Team Up for Comedy Pilot

Disney Channel has given a pilot order to Saturdays, a single-camera comedy from 16-year-old Marsai Martin (black-ish) and Nicole Dow through Martin’s production company, Genius Entertainment.

The pilot centers on a young girl and her competitive roller-skating crew. Danielle Jalade (Yes Day) has been cast in the lead role of Paris Johnson, a 13-year-old who has spent most of her life roller-skating. Norman Vance Jr. is executive producing and wrote the pilot, which will be directed by Charles Stone III.

Dow, Marsai Martin, Josh Martin and Carol Martin will serve as executive producers alongside Vance. In addition to Jalade, Saturdays stars Omar Gooding, Golden Brooks, Jermaine Harris, Daria Johns, Samantha A. Smith and Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker are also in the cast.

Rafael Garcia, VP of development for Disney Branded Television, said: “When we met with Marsai about this project, we couldn’t have been more impressed with her passion for diverse storytelling and commitment to female empowerment. We’re extremely excited to team up with Norman and the Genius Entertainment team to tap into roller-skating culture in a way that’s truly both authentic and aspirational for our audience.”