The Game‘s Jay Ellis and Yvonne Orji (Basketball Wife) have been cast opposite Issa Rae in HBO’s comedy pilot Insecure. Co-written by Rae and Larry Wilmore and directed by music video director Melina Matsoukas, Insecure focuses on the awkward experiences and racy tribulations of a modern day African-American woman through the eyes of Issa Dee, played by Rae. Ellis will play Lawrence, Issa’s depressed and unemployed boyfriend, who has been getting his act together for four years. Orji is Molly, Issa’s best friend. While very successful in her corporate work life, she is very unsuccessful in her love life.
Prentice Penny serves as showrunner on the pilot and executive produces with Rae, Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky and Jonathan Berry. Wilmore, host of Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show, serves as consultant.
Ellis starred as Blue Westbrook for four seasons on The Game, and also had a starring role in Movie 43. He’s repped by Luber Roklin, Paradigm and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.
Source: Deadline
