Yaya DaCosta has been cast in the lead role of the upcoming Fox drama series “Our Kind of People,” Variety has learned. With the casting, DaCosta will exit the NBC series “Chicago Med,” on which she has starred for six seasons.
Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s book, “Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class,” the series takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite have come to play for over 50 years. The series follows strong-willed, single mom Angela Vaughn (DaCosta) as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of Black women. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up this community forever.
DaCosta first rose to prominence during her time on “America’s Next Top Model” in 2004. She has gone on to a successful acting career, having starred in shows like “All My Children” and “Ugly Betty.” She has been a main cast member of “Chicago Med” since 2015, playing ED nurse April Sexton. She has also made appearances on both “Chicago PD” and “Chicago Fire.” Her feature credits include “The Butler,” “The Nice Guys,” the Whitney Houston Lifetime biopic “Whitney,” and “The Messenger.”
She is repped by Gersh and ID PR.
Fox opened a writers’ room for “Our Kind of People” in September 2020 and was ordered to series in March 2021. Karin Gist is writing and executive producing. Lee Daniels and Marc Velez also executive produce via Lee Daniels Entertainment along with Pam Williams and Claire Brown of The Gist Of It Productions, Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens and Rodney Ferrell of Propagate, and Montrel McKay. Tasha Smith will direct the pilot episode. 20th Television and Fox Entertainment will produce. Gist and Daniels are currently under overall deals at 20th Television.
