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Abbott Elementary star Janelle James is lining up her next TV project — as a writer.

James and Happy Endings creator David Caspe are teaming for a Hulu comedy, Rock City, set in the Virgin Islands. They’ll write and executive produce the project, which comes from Universal Television and is in development at Hulu. For the time being, at least, James will be only behind the camera.

Rock City is also a reunion for James and Caspe, who previously worked together on Showtime’s 2019-21 comedy Black Monday. Caspe co-created that series, and James was a writer and actor on the show.

The logline for Rock City reads, “A woman returns to her hometown in the Virgin Islands after she inherits a local tourist trap from her estranged father but quickly realizes that she’s been left much more than a simple beachfront bar and grill.”

James has earned four Emmy nominations for playing principal Ava Coleman on ABC’s Abbott Elementary and shared in the show’s 2023 SAG Award win for best comedy ensemble. She also won a Critics Choice Award earlier this year for her role. Her acting credits also include One of Them Days and voice work on Apple’s Central Park and Netflix’s Strip Law.

As a writer, James has worked on History of the World Part II, Central Park and The Rundown With Robin Thede in addition to Black Monday.

Caspe most recently created Peacock’s 2024 comedy Mr. Throwback, starring Adam Pally and NBA star Steph Curry. Along with Happy Endings and Black Monday, his credits as a writer and producer include NBC’s Marry Me and Kenan, Netflix’s Blockbuster and the YouTube series Champaign ILL.

James is repped by CAA and Granderson Des Rochers. Caspe is repped by Rise Management, WME and Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt.

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