Kenya Barris is set for his first Netflix series. The streamer has ordered the single-camera comedy Black Excellence from Barris, in which he will also star opposite Rashida Jones. Inspired by Barris’ approach to parenting, relationships, race, and culture, the series is said to pull the curtain back and reboot the “family sitcom.”
Barris and Jones will executive produce alongside Hale Rothstein, who has previously collaborated with Barris on his ABC series Black-ish and the Freeform spinoff Grown-ish. Barris will produce via his Khalabo Ink Society, which is currently under an overall deal at Netflix.
Barris made major waves when it was announced he was exiting his deal at ABC Studios for one reportedly worth nine figures at Netflix. He was one of several high-profile creators to make the move to the streaming service at the time, with others being Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy.
Jones is known for her roles on comedy shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Angie Tribeca, the latter of which she also executive produces. She will also lend her voice to the upcoming Fox animated series Duncanville. She is also prepping the series Kevin Can F— Himself at AMC and recently wrote and directed the documentary Quincy, which is about her father, Quincy Jones.
