NEW Show from Black-ish Star Marsai Martin Gets Pilot Order from Disney

We’ve heard a LOT lately about new series coming to Disney+, but what about Disney Channel?

©Disney

Well, Disney Channel hasn’t been left in the dust. We actually just got some details about a NEW show being produced by Black-ish star Marsai Martin that could be headed to Disney Channel and it’s about a competitive roller skating crew?!

According to Deadline, Disney Channel has made a pilot order for a new show called Saturdays. Saturdays is described as a single-camera comedy about a 13-year-old girl (Paris) who has spent most of her life roller-skating. The local skating rink she goes to (which is totally decked out in neon lights and painted in a galaxy-print, of course)? Oh, it’s just owned and operated by a former ’90s hip-hop back-up dancer! Sweet.

Danielle Jalade, Cast to Play Paris ©Shandon Photography

Paris is the leader of her skate crew and she’s determined to get them to the top! But, Paris has sickle cell disease. When that flares up, “it’ll take every ounce of determination to prove the doubters wrong, including her concerned family.”

Who will be starring in this show? Well, there’s a mix of faces you might recognize and others that are newcomers. Here’s a peek at the cast:

Danielle Jalade — Paris
Omar Gooding (Family Time) and Golden Brooks (Girlfriends) — Paris’ parents, Cal and Deb
Jermaine Harris (The Map of Tiny Perfect Things) — Paris’ older brother and aspiring D.J., London
Daria Johns (Nappily Ever After) and newcomer Samantha Smith — Paris’ best friends and skating partners, Simone and Roxy, respectively
Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker — roller rink owner Duchess

(Top L-R) Omar Gooding, Golden Brooks, Jermaine Harris, (Bottom L-R) Daria Johns, Samantha Smith and Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker (©Disney | Obtained via Deadline)

The show is being produced by 16-year-old Black-ish star Marsai Martin through the company she founded (with her parents), Genius Entertainment, and others. The show has been written by Norman Vance Jr.

As Deadline shares, “Genius Entertainment…creates stories meant to inspire, illuminate, and celebrate the diverse experiences of girls and people of color.”

One Disney executive said, “When we met with Marsai about this project, we couldn’t have been more impressed with her passion for diverse storytelling and commitment to female empowerment.”

We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more details about this show. Stay tuned for all the latest updates!