The dominoes continue to fall as executives continue to mine Black talent for the upcoming television season. ABC is reviving a blast from the past with the upcoming comedy, Uncle Buck, starring Mike Epps and Nia Long.
Based on the classic John Hughes film starring John Candy, the series adaptation, written by Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley, centers on Buck Russell (Epps), a childish man who learns how to be an adult by taking care of his brother Will’s kids in a very childish way. Long will play Will’s strong-willed and smart wife.
The new Uncle Buck TV remake (there was a short-lived 1990s Uncle Buck CBS series starring Kevin Meaney) had been conceived with Buck as African American, giving the format a new twist. Super-producer Will Packer, known for producing hit feature comedy franchises with Black leads, like Ride Along and Think Like A Man, will executive produce the show for his production company. On ABC, Uncle Buck would be a suitable companion for another single-camera African American family comedy, Black-ish.
Last summer, Epps landed the coveted role of Richard Pryor in the upcoming biopic directed by Lee Daniels, despite Nick Cannon very publicly campaigning for the role and Pryor’s family stating that Marlon Wayans or Terrence Howard should get the role. Epps will star alongside Oprah Winfrey, who will play Pryor’s abusive grandmother Marie Carter.