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The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge announced the winners of its 2025 edition with an annual orange carpet and awards ceremony on Thursday at Sony Pictures Studios. During the Film Challenge, entrants are given a span of five days over the designated timeframe to write and produce 1-5 minute short films, which promote disability inclusion in front of and behind the camera.

“I created the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge to help accelerate change and to put a spotlight on talented filmmakers and actors, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their work and be seen,” said Edfc founder Nic Novicki. “We are proud of the amazing films created over the past 12 years and I am grateful that the Challenge has enabled many of our participants to go on to such prominent success, most recently Nik Sanchez who landed a role in ‘The Accountant 2’ based on his participation in last year’s competition.

The winners of the 12th Annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Awards were announced Thursday night at the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City.

Designed to promote and encourage more film and television works by artists with disabilities, this year’s Easterseals challenge tasked filmmakers with creating short films one-to-five minutes in length that exist within the thriller and suspense genres. As usual, challenge participants had just five days to craft their shorts. The cast and crew of each film had to consist of volunteers, and at least one person with a physical or cognitive disability was encouraged to be involved in the making of each short in an on-camera or behind-the-scenes capacity.

Of the 123 shorts that were submitted this year, just five ultimately took home the challenge’s top awards. In addition to host, actor and Easterseals founder Nic Novicki, Thursday night’s event was attended by Peter Farrelly...

Exclusive: Music Box Films has acquired North American distribution rights to director Shane D. Stanger’s Good Bad Things, starring Jessica Parker Kennedy (The Flash), Brett Dier (Jane The Virgin) and Danny Kurtzman.

The film, which will be released on digital platforms on February 4, 2025, was programmed in the Slamdance Unstoppable section, the showcase of films made by filmmakers with visible and non-visible disabilities.

Good Bad Things was awarded both the Slamdance Unstoppable Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award and screened as the closing night film of the ReelAbilities film festival.

Co-written by lifelong friends Shane D. Stanger and Danny Kurtzman, the romantic comedy is about a young man with a physical disability, learning to be vulnerable by exploring new connections on a dating app, a story loosely inspired by co-writer and star Kurtzman’s life, living with muscular dystrophy.

The film was released theatrically in partnership with Suncatcher Productions,...

Slamdance is celebrating the best indie films from 2024 with an inaugural awards ceremony aptly called The Indies. The Slamdance Film Festival announced Wednesday that its new annual ceremony will toast “the spirit of truly independent filmmaking” on December 9 at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles. Actor/comedians Nic Novicki and Steve Way (“Ramy”) will host.

An interesting caveat, though: For films to be eligible at the ceremony, features must not have held their world premieres at Sundance, SXSW, or Tribeca. However, nominees must have played at one or more domestic film festivals over the last calendar year leading into the ceremony. The Indies also are staying domestic, with a focus on narrative and documentary features from filmmakers only in North America.

“Independent U.S. and Indigenous filmmakers feel neglected and abandoned,” said co-founder Paul Rachman in a press statement. “The current landscape for recognizing fresh voices in cinema has never...

Slamdance, the indie film festival established almost 30 years ago in response to the cultural monolith of Sundance, is unveiling its first ever awards show franchise.

“The Indies” will be an annual ceremony celebrating “the spirit of truly independent filmmaking,” according to organizers. The inaugural event is set for Dec. 9 at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles. Comedian-actors Nic Novicki and Steve Way (“Ramy”) will host.

The Indies will focus on narrative and documentary features from filmmakers in North America. Eligible movies must have played at one or more domestic film festivals held over the calendar year. There’s an added guardrail to keep The Indies as cutting edge as possible: movies that set world premieres at Sundance, SXSW or Tribeca are not eligible for a trophy.

“The U.S. indie film sector is struggling, with only a handful of streamers and studios actively acquiring indie films — and it’s not enough.

Inevitable Foundation, the non-profit advocating on behalf of the disabled community, on Wednesday unveiled an open letter calling for improved disability representation in Hollywood.

The letter is signed by 30+ industry leaders, both as allies and members of the disability community, including Coda filmmaker Sian Heder and star Marlee Matlin, As We See It‘s Jason Katims and Rick Glassman, Ramy‘s Ramy Youssef and Steve Way, and Hacks co-creators Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, as well as the likes of Alyssa Milano, Samara Weaving, and filmmaker Paul Feig.

Inevitable Foundation’s Hollywood Blvd. billboard

Inevitable Foundation’s letter comes several weeks after the unveiling of “Audiences are Waiting for Hollywood to Greenlight Disability,” its report highlighting that 66% of audiences are currently unsatisfied with on-screen representations of disability and mental health. The letter argues that expanding representation in these areas is not about simply checking a Dei box.

A day before Ramy Youssef was set to record his latest special “More Feelings,” a friend and fellow comedian and actor Steve Way was scheduled to do a practice run as his opener at Brooklyn’s Bell House. It never happened. “The day of the show, they tell Ramy, ‘Sorry, we can’t get Steve on stage.’ They needed a week’s notice to rent a ramp,’” Way, who has his own special coming soon, recalls. “This isn’t Make-a-Wish. I would rather be told I’m not good enough than, ‘Sorry, there are stairs.’”

In a statement, The Bell House told Variety that it thanks “Steve for his advocacy” and, recently under new management, is “actively taking steps to improve the venue’s accessibility. We are adding a permanent lift and will have ramps available in the meantime.”

Danielle Perez

Being unable to access the stage isn’t an experience unique to Way.

The 2021 Oscars was the first time a front-facing ramp was an integrated element of the Academy Awards’ custom-built stage. Academy member Jim LeBrecht, who uses a wheelchair, initiated the effort and executed it alongside his Crip Camp co-director Nicole Newnham and executive producer Howard Gertler after an Oscar nomination for the Obama-produced Netflix doc seemed on the horizon.

The ramp, present for years at disability-focused ceremonies like the Media Access Awards, marked a visible shift for mainstream Hollywood’s focus in the diversity, equity and inclusion space. And it would spark similar efforts — sometimes piecemeal or sweeping, other times fumbled — at other major industry events such as the Emmys and Grammys.

Since then, the Oscars have expanded their accessibility efforts. The 2024 show, which takes place this Sunday, will include confidential accessibility requests for all nominees and guests; captioning services (live captions through in-house monitors, captions for video packages and...

Ramy star Steve Way has boarded 2024 Slamdance Film Festival selection Good Bad Things as an executive producer.

The upcoming indie, which will hold its world premiere at the Utah-based fest, hails from first-time director Shane D. Stanger, who co-wrote the feature with longtime friend and star Danny Kurtzman. The movie, which also stars Brett Dier (Jane the Virgin), Jessica Parker Kennedy (Black Sails), and Timothy Granaderos (13 Reasons Why), is inspired by Kurtzman’s own experiences, and follows his character, Danny, an ingenious entrepreneur with physical disabilities.

When he and his lifelong friend and business partner Jason (Dier) face losing their agency, they must team to win over a new client, a highly sought-after dating app. That puts Danny on the path of Madi (Parker), a photographer he meets through the dating platform. It’s a relationship that sparks a journey of transformation, self-acceptance and discovery for Danny, about himself...

Agbo, an entertainment company founded by directors Anthony and Joe Russo, is partnering with Slamdance to establish a showcase for aspiring filmmakers.

The summer showcase, held in downtown Los Angeles this August, will include programs dedicated to digital, interactive and gaming work, stand-up comedy, screenplay workshops and short films.

“Slamdance has been a wonderful partner and we are happy to be expanding our relationship to our Downtown LA campus. Our mission to offer our campus to help showcase emerging talent is a perfect opportunity,” said Angela Russo-Otstot, Chief Creative Office at Agbo.

Taylor Miller, director of Slamdance, a non-profit that focuses on emerging talent. “In pursuit of showcasing talent we believe will go on to shape the film and media industry, we are stronger together with alumni Anthony and Joe Russo and the Agbo production company.”

See below for more about the five programs in the Agbo and Slamdance summer showcase:

Shortwave (Aug.

Spoilers Ahead: Please do not continue reading if you haven’t watched season 3 of “Ramy”.

“Ramy”, the semi-autobiographical dramedy from Ramy Youssef, just released its third season on Hulu Friday, and similarly to the last, it’s chock full of guests stars. In addition to the show’s series regulars, “Ramy” sees the likes of Majid Jordan, Sarita Choudhury and Bella Hadid joining the cast for the show’s long-awaited third season.

The supermodel makes her acting debut in episode 4, which is aptly titled, “that’s what she said.” Hadid, who has been outspoken about her Palestinian heritage, and her ties to Islamic culture, appears as Lena, the quirky, Muslim girlfriend of Steve (Steve Way), Ramy’s best friend.

As viewers remember from previous seasons, Steve suffers from muscular dystrophy and is wheelchair-bound. Ramy goes to dinner with Steve and Lena, not just because he’s their ride to a wrestling match later,...

Bella Hadid‘s Ramy character is revealed in the Season 3 trailer, above. Returning to Hulu September 30, the Ramy Youssef-led comedy-drama follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. In the new season, Ramy continues to question his Muslim faith as part of a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists. His family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey, instead dedicating himself to the diamond business he has with his uncle. Hadid makes her acting debut as Lena, revealed in the trailer to be a love interest of Ramy’s buddy Steve (Steve Way). The two met on a Muslim dating app called Muslim Match, which apparently does not require users like Steve to be Muslim. Ramy also stars Moon Knight star May Calamawy,...

Ramy Youssef is on a quest to find the meaning of life.

The new Season 3 trailer for Hulu’s hit series “Ramy” shows the odds are stacked against the titular character as he faces a 100,000 debt and a “spiritual debt” for doubting his Muslim faith. Ramy’s family is also looking to find their culture stateside, or as the trailer says, “caught between who they want to be and who they really are.” Season 3 premieres September 30 on Hulu.

The official logline for the series reads: “Caught between a religious Muslim community who believes life is a moral test and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife exists, Ramy and his family navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood.”

Hiam Abbass, May Calamawy, Mahershala Ali, and Amr Wakkad also star in the series. Bella Hadid is making her series debut in a recurring role as actor Steve Way’s “weirdo girlfriend” in the series,...

Bella Hadid is strutting her way onto the small screen. Hulu released the first trailer for season three of the Emmy-nominated series Ramy Sept. 14, giving viewers a glimpse of the model in action. For her debut role, the 25-year-old is playing Lena, the girlfriend of Ramy's (Ramy Youssef's) best friend, Steve (Steve Way).  The first viewers see of Bella in the preview, she's sitting at a table with Steve and Ramy, who asks how they met. "Muslim match," Steve says, to which Ramy asks, "You don't have to be Muslim?" "Nah, they'll let anybody on," Steve responds. The more you know! Ramy, meanwhile, is struggling with religion. "Ramy has...

The long-awaited Season 3 premiere of Hulu‘s Ramy has been set for September 30.

Ramy Youssef returns for 10 episodes of the acclaimed series which follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood.

Ramy continues to bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists.

In Season 3, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey, instead dedicating himself to him and his uncle’s diamond business.

The series also stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer, and Steve Way.

Ramy is written, directed, executive-produced,...

After a 28-month hiatus, Ramy Youssef’s critically acclaimed Hulu comedy is set to return.

The streamer on Wednesday announced that Ramy Season 3 will be released Friday, Sept. 30 — with all 10 episodes dropping at once. In addition, Youssef revealed the following key art (see below).

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Youssef — who also co-created the series and serves as an executive producer — stars as Ramy Hassan,...

In her television series acting debut, supermodel Bella Hadid has joined the upcoming third season of Hulu comedy Ramy in a recurring role. Details of her character and storyline are being kept under wraps for now. Stay tuned.

The Peabody Award-winning Ramy, starring Ramy Youssef, hails from The Carmichael Show creators Jerrod Carmichael and Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch and studio A24.

It follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. Ramy brings a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists. In the third season, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey,...

Supermodel Bella Hadid has joined the cast of Hulu’s “Ramy” as a recurring guest star in Season 3. Details have not yet been revealed on Hadid’s character or her relationship to the show’s other characters just yet.

“Ramy” reps the first credited scripted role for Hadid. The news comes as production gets underway on the third season of “Ramy,” the Emmy-nominated Hulu comedy that has also earned a Golden Globe for star Ramy Youssef.

“Ramy” also stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer and Steve Way. As “Ramy” returns, it continues the story of first-generation Egyptian American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family.

Per its logline, “Ramy” continues to “bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a...

Bella Hadid is joining the cast of “Ramy.” The model is expected to be a recurring guest star throughout Season 3 of the Hulu series.

Details around her role are currently being kept under wraps.

“Ramy” follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. “Ramy” continues to bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists.

In the third season, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey, instead dedicating himself to him and his uncle’s diamond business.

In addition to Youssef, the series stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass,...

Universal will continue to be in the business of Judd Apatow.

The company’s film and television studios announced on Wednesday that they have entered into multi-year production agreements with Apatow and his company Apatow Productions.

Apatow’s relationship with Universal Pictures began in 2005 with “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and has continued to be mutually successful. His films, including “Knocked Up,” “Trainwreck” and most recently “The King of Staten Island,” have grossed nearly $3 billion at the global box office. On the television side, he’s responsible for acclaimed comedies like “Freaks and Geeks,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Crashing” and “Love.” His latest documentary, “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling,” won an Emmy.

“Judd has championed the industry’s most groundbreaking comedic voices for the past two decades and has inspired and guided an entire generation of filmmakers and creators,” said Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman Donna Langley, who made Wednesday’s...

Judd Apatow has hammered a multi-year production film and TV pact across NBCUniversal including Universal Pictures and Universal Studio Group. The parties’ working relationship began with 2005’s $177 million-plus grossing comedy blockbuster The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Apatow’s movies have grossed close to $3 billion around the world, the studio’s most successful original comedies.

Apatow is currently in post-production on the Billy Eichner-starring, Nick Stoller-directed Bros, which he produced. The movie is the first major studio film to feature an all LGBTQ+ principal cast. The movie hits theaters on September 30.

On the TV side, the new deal will cover Apatow’s work for both internal and external networks, including NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock. Multiple projects are in development including Dystrophia, a co-production between Utv and A24, starring comedian Steve Way (Ramy) and co-written with Jonathan Braylock and Ramy Youssef. Youssef is also producing with Apatow through his Cairo Cowboy production company.

Judd Apatow and his Apatow Productions have signed a multiyear production deal for both film and TV with Universal Pictures and Universal Studio Group, continuing the director’s relationship with the studio.

Apatow’s relationship with Universal dates back to 2005’s “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and the upcoming “Bros” with Billy Eichner. This latest film is produced by Apatow and is currently in post-production at the studio. No specific film projects were announced as part of the deal.

On the television side, the new deal will cover Apatow’s activities for both internal and external networks, including Peacock. Apatow has multiple projects in development, including “Dystrophia,” a co-production between Utv and A24 and starring comedian Steve Way (“Ramy”) and co-written with Jonathan Braylock and Ramy Youssef. Youssef is also producing “Dystrophia” with Apatow through his Cairo Cowboy production company.

The half-hour series, loosely inspired by Way’s life with muscular dystrophy,...

During a pre-recorded Atx panel airing Saturday, Ramy actor Steve Way slammed the Motion Picture Academy for its failure to provide all necessary accommodations for the disabled, prior to this year’s Academy Awards, where a wheelchair ramp was introduced for the first time.

“At this year’s Oscars, we got a ramp, we got an Asl interpreter—for one segment—and everyone’s like, ‘Oh my god, this is great,’” Way said. “It’s progress, yes. But you’re also admitting that for the past 31 years, the [Academy] has been violating federal law by not having a ramp and interpreters.”

A ramp was introduced at the 93rd Oscars as a means of access to the stage for James LeBrecht, the co-director of Crip Camp, who uses a wheelchair. Unfortunately, as actor Ryan J. Haddad (The Politician) noted during the panel, the ramp may have only been added, given LeBrecht’s own assertiveness.

Atx Televison Festival has added a slew of additional titles to the lineup for its 2021 event, including Kevin Can F*** Himself, Central Park and The Good Fight.

The 2021 edition will run from June 11 to 20 and will take on a virtual format amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Like its in-person iteration, this year’s Atx Television Festival will feature industry-focused panels with a number of showrunners, executives, teasing what’s the to come in the television scene.

Prospective attendees can book their festival badges, day passes, single tickets and find more information here.

This year’s edition will spotlight a number of upcoming AMC and AMC+ projects, ranging from Kevin Can F*** Himself, Ultra City Smiths and Untitled Black Horror Anthology. Panels and Q&As will feature stars such as Annie Murphy, Mary Hollis Inboden and the creative minds of Greg Nicotero, Tanarive Due, Steven Barnes and more.

Apple TV+ will...

Last week, the Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services provider Easterseals, celebrated the honorees of the 2020 Media Access Awards. This year’s event paid tribute, virtually, to those individuals, series, and films that have redefined on-screen representation for the disability community, while advancing the portrayal and employment of people with disabilities in Hollywood.

To view the show in its entirety and learn more about the showcase, visit:

MediaAccessAwards2020.com.

Advocate, producer, model and actor Nyle Dimarco served as the evening’s host and welcomed viewers to a night filled with memorable moments, touching tributes, and awe-inspiring performances. The night’s honorees were selected by the diversity committees of their professional guilds with awards from the Casting Society of America (Csa), Producers Guild of America (PGA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), and Writers Guild of America (WGA). This year’s honorees were:

SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award: Lauren Ridloff

Presented...

Comedian and actor Ramy Youssef challenged the misconception that actors with disabilities are more difficult to work with on set than other talent. Referring to the treatment of Steve Way, his friend and co-star on “Ramy” who was born with muscular dystrophy, Youssef said producers questioned how long Way could work per day and how well audiences would understand him.

“A lot of A-list stars only have four takes in them, and productions figure out how to really work around their demands and their needs, and someone like Steve doesn’t even have that many demands or needs in order to be put into a position to succeed,” he said during a speech at this year’s Media Access Awards Presented by Easterseals.

He was honored with the Writers Guild of America West Evan Summers Memorial award for his work on “Ramy” during the event, which celebrated those who help...

The Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services organization Easterseals, has announced the honorees of the awards show, which include critically-acclaimed documentary “Crip Camp,” Netflix’s “Away” and Ramy Youssef.

The award show, which will be presented virtually Nov. 19 and hosted by model and actor Nyle Dimarco, aims to pay tribute to creatives, series and films that have holistically portrayed individuals with disabilities and advanced representation for the disability community both on and off-screen.

“One out of four American adults has a disability, but they rarely see their lives reflected in the stories told on film and television. The Media Access Awards is an ongoing campaign to change that reality. And it will change. People with disabilities will be seen and heard,” Deborah Calla and Allen Rucker, co-CEOs of Media Access Awards, said in a statement.

The evening will see special appearances from Selma Blair, Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Kimmel,...

Recent Emmy nominee, Ramy Youssef, is still in awe of the fact that his show “Ramy” was able to bring in two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali as an addition to the show’s second season. “He really ingratiated himself to every single person on the cast and everyone in the crew. Just a dream. You couldn’t write how well he gelled with us and how well he really felt like he was part of the fabric of the show,” explains Youssef in our recent webchat (watch the video above). But Youssef also understood that there was potential for this type of casting to fall flat on its face and illustrated that to Ali using another show as an analogy. “When he came initially, I told him, I was like, ‘Look, man, our blueprint here is this needs to be as seamless as Danny DeVito joining ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

This morning, Ramy Youssef is celebrating his first trio of Emmy nominations for his Hulu comedy series Ramy—looking forward, at the same time, to a series he’s developing with Apple.

Starring Youssef’s Ramy co-star Steve Way, the untitled project will center on the latter actor’s experiences as a disabled individual, looking also at the experiences of his family.

“We’re really excited to [offer] an intimate look at his life, his point of view, [because] those things are really untapped. We’ve only ever really seen disabled characters as side characters, and we’re really going to be able to step into that with him,” Youssef tells Deadline today. “Obviously, he plays my best friend on my show, but we’re not even close to tapping into what he can do. I’m probably more excited about that than Ramy half the time, but very grateful to be able to do both.

Ramy Youseff’s acclaimed “Ramy” comedy series has been renewed for a third season by Hulu, while Pamela Adlon’s similarly-praised “Better Things” is returning for a fifth go-around at FX as part of her new overall deal with the network.

“Ramy,” which released its sophomore season in May, follows a fictionalized version of Youseff as he embarks on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. The show portrays challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists. The show’s second season followed Ramy as he found a new Muslim community and embraced a deeper commitment to his faith.

“Ramy” is written, executive produced, and created by Ramy Youssef, executive produced by A24’s Ravi Nandan, co-creators Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch, Jerrod Carmichael, and Chris Storer.

Hulu has renewed Ramy Youssef’s comedy “Ramy” for a third season, which will consist of 10 episodes.

“Ramy” follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) who is on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood, according to the official logline for the streaming series. The show “explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists,” it continues.

“Ramy,” which is written by Youssef, hails from A24. Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch co-created the series with Youssef. The trio executive produces alongside Jerrod Carmichael and Chris Storer.

Earlier this year, Youssef won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. On Thursday, he was nominated for a TCA (Television Critics Association) Award.

Also Read: Ramy Youssef Wants to Bring...

“Ramy” has been renewed for a third season.

Like the first two, Season 3 will consist of 10 episodes. The news comes just over a month after the debut of Season 2, which premiered on Hulu on May 29.

The series, co-created by and starring Ramy Youssef, follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) who is on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. In the second season, Ramy delves further into his spiritual journey, finding a new Muslim community and embracing a deeper commitment to his faith.

Along with Youssef, the series Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, Laith Nakli, May Calamawy, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer, and Steve Way. Mahershala Ali guest starred in Season 2.

Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch co-created the series with Youssef, with all three also serving as executive producers. Other executive producers are A24’s Ravi Nandan, Jerrod Carmichael, and Chris Storer. A24 produces for Hulu.

The series has been well-received by critics,...

Hulu has ordered a 10-episode third season of its Peabody Award-winning comedy series Ramy, starring Ramy Youssef, from The Carmichael Show creators Jerrod Carmichael and Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch and studio A24.

The series, which launched its second season May 29, follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) who is on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighborhood. Ramy brings a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists. In the second season, Ramy delves further into his spiritual journey, finding a new Muslim community and embracing a deeper commitment to his faith.

Ramy is written, executive produced and created by Youssef, executive produced by A24’s Ravi Nandan, co-creators Katcher and Welch, Carmichael and Chris Storer, and...

The Hulu comedy series “Ramy” was overlooked by Emmy voters for its first season in 2019 despite ample critical acclaim for the series about a Muslim man (Ramy Youssef) living in New Jersey. But it has a higher profile in 2020 thanks to Youssef’s surprise Golden Globe win and the addition of double Oscar winner Mahershala Ali as the title character’s sheikh. Emmy voting started on July 2, so nomination ballots became available online to members of the television academy as well as the general public. Scroll down to see the show’s 17 chances for Emmy glory.

SEERamy Youssef (‘Ramy’): ‘Gold Derby said I wasn’t going to win’ the Golden Globe! [Exclusive Video Interview]

A lot of those chances are for Youssef himself. He’s a contender for Best Comedy Series as an executive producer. He could also be nominated for Best Comedy Actor for his starring role, Best Comedy Directing for the episode “Miakhalifa.

In today’s TV News roundup, HBO released a trailer for its upcoming docuseries “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” and SeriesFest revealed its line-up for its virtual festival, featuring panel discussions, workshops and screenings.

Renewals

TLC has ordered additional episodes of “Find Love Live!” which will begin airing on June 22 at 11 p.m. New episodes will continue to premiere on Mondays each week. The unscripted dating series comes from Discovery Studios and is hosted by Sukanya Krishnan.

Dates

Hulu has shifted premiere dates for two of its upcoming programs: “Love, Victor” will now premiere on June 17 and “Taste the Nation” will premiere on June 18. The moves have been made to provide room for discussion around Juneteenth on June 19, which will mark 155 years since slavery was abolished in the United States.

First Looks

HBO has released a trailer for its upcoming documentary series “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.” The...

Much like many other producers and showrunners, Ramy Youssef has spent his quarantine editing remotely, frantically trying to finish Season 2 of “Ramy” on time.

Youssef submitted the final locked episodes on Tuesday, only three days ahead of the launch on May 29, and discussed the “intense experience” on the “Variety After-Show,” presented by National Geographic, on Instagram Live.

“It’s been a lot to get it done during quarantine. I’m super appreciative of all the people who are editing things out of their homes, and I just imagine everyone mixing sound and editing and color, doing all these things as they’re questioning their marriages,” Youssef joked.

The big addition to the Hulu show’s sophomore season is two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, who plays the calming sheikh figure to the selfish, mistake-prone Ramy.

Youssef praised Ali for not “bringing his Oscars to set and showing us what’s what,...

In a Gold Derby exclusive, we have learned the category placements of the key Emmy Awards contenders for Hulu. For this season, the company has returning hits “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Elisabeth Moss), “Ramy” (Ramy Youssef) and “Shrill” (Aidy Bryant) as part of their 2020 campaign. Newcomers could include “The Great” (Elle Fanning), “High Fidelity” (Zoe Kravitz) and “Little Fires Everywhere”.

Below, the list of Hulu lead, supporting and guest submissions for their comedy, drama and limited series. More names might be added by the studio on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.

SEEMeet the red-hot cast of ‘Little Fires Everywhere’

“Ask Dr. Ruth”

Documentary or Nonfiction Special

“Castle Rock”

Limited Series

Movie/Limited Actress – Lizzy Caplan

Movie/Limited Supporting Actor – Barkhad Abdi, Tim Robbins, Paul Sparks

Movie/Limited Supporting Actress – Elsie Fisher, Yusra Warsama

Culture Shock...

Ramy Youssef’s comedy-drama series Ramy, for which he won an acting Golden Globe, is back with Season Two, premiering May 29th on Hulu.

In the first teaser for the new batch of episodes, Youssef portrays first-generation Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan as he embarks on a spiritual journey in his politically divided neighborhood in New Jersey. He meets a Muslim sheikh portrayed by Mahershala Ali, who offers Ramy personal and moral guidance as he struggles to balance his religious upbringing with the secular, pessimistic outlook of his generation.

“Don’t look...

Mahershala Ali makes his “Ramy” debut in the first trailer for the second season of the Hulu comedy, offering some spiritual knowledge to Ramy Youssef as a guest star.

You can watch the trailer above. The new season debuts on May 29.

Alongside Ramy Youssef as a fictional version of himself, the show also stars Amr Waked (Farouk Hassan), Hiam Abbas (Maysa Hassan) and Dena Calmawy (Dena Hassan) as his fictional family and Mohammed Amer (Mo), Dave Merheje (Ahmed) and Steve Way (Steve) as his friends.

Also Read: Hulu Outages Spark #HuluDown Hashtag on Twitter

“Ramy” follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) who is on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. In the second season, Ramy delves further into his spiritual journey, finding a new Muslim community and embracing a deeper commitment to his faith.

“For Season 2, I’m excited to take bigger swings, bigger risks,” Youssef previously told TheWrap.

Looks like Ramy might have finally found someone to help him be a better Muslim.

Hulu has released the first trailer for “Ramy” season 2, which sees the sex and self-obsessed central character turn to Mahershala Ali’s sheikh for spiritual guidance.

The Oscar and Emmy-winning Ali is a new player for season 2, and the trailer already shows him bringing a quiet power to this significant addition to the series. According to the streamer, the second season will see Ramy delving further into his spiritual journey, finding a new Muslim community and embracing a deeper commitment to his faith.

“Ramy,” created by comedian Ramy Youssef who also stars, was picked up for a 10-episode second season back in May 2019. The series follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan who lives in a politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood.

Youssef, who also writes and exec-produces the show, previously told Variety that he approached the first season...

Hulu said Friday that it has set series debut dates for two of its originals, the Elle Fanning-starring The Great from Oscar-nominated The Favourite scribe Tony McNamara, and its animated series Solar Opposites. The streaming service also unveiled the Season 2 premiere date for Ramy, created by and starring newly minted Golden Globe winner Ramy Youssef.

The news was revealed during Hulu’s turn at the TCA winter press tour in Pasadena.

The Great, which debuts on Friday, May 15, is a comedy that chronicles a genre-bending, anti-historical ride through 18th century Russia and follows the rise of Catherine the Nothing to Catherine the Great. Fanning is Catherine, with The Favourite alum Nicholas Hoult also starring alongside Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley, Gwilym Lee, Charity Wakefield, Douglas Hodge and Sacha Shawan.

Hulu released a teaser for the project today:

McNamara created, wrote and executive produced The Great, which hails from Civic Center...

Hulu has set the premiere date for the second season of “Ramy,” as well as the series debut dates for royal comedy “The Great,” starring Elle Fanning, and “Rick & Morty” co-creator Justin Roiland’s new cartoon, “Solar Opposites,” the streaming service announced during the Television Critics Association press tour Friday.

Created by “The Favourite” screenwriter Tony McNamara, “The Great” launches Friday, May 15. The comedy chronicles the genre-bending, anti-historical ride through 18th Century Russia and follows the wildly comedic rise of Catherine the Nothing to Catherine the Great, played by Fanning.

The series also stars Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley, Gwilym Lee, Charity Wakefield, Douglas Hodge and Sacha Shawan.

Also Read: FX Chief on Hulu Partnership and Why Streaming Will Lead to an 'Overwhelming Amount of Content'

“The Great” is created, written and executive produced by McNamara and executive produced by Marian Macgowan, Thruline’s Josh Kesselman and Ron West,...

Starz has landed international rights to the Hulu/A24 comedy “Ramy,” which premiered earlier this year and stars Ramy Youssef as a Muslim millennial living in a post-9/11 America.

Starz will distribute the show internationally in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg. The series will premiere on Starz’s premium streaming service Starzplay in the U.K. on Aug. 30, with the other territories to follow suit.

Starz has acquired the rights from Lionsgate.

Also Read: The Emmys and the Future of Muslim Portrayals on Television

“‘Ramy’ is exactly the kind of premium, noisy content that we are looking to deliver to the global Starzplay audience,” Superna Kalle, Evp for Starz, said. “We look forward to debuting the series in the UK and across Europe, where the storytelling – which is equally specific and universal – will most certainly resonate with viewers.”

The first season of “Ramy” follows...

Starz Svod service Starzplay has picked up most European streaming rights to A24 and Hulu comedy series Ramy from Lionsgate Worldwide Television Distribution Group.

The deal covers the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg. It will launch in UK on Friday August 30 and roll out in Europe later this year.

The show debuted to strong notices last April in the U.S. and has been picked up for a second season. Starring and co-created by up-and-coming comedian, Ramy Youssef, the series tells the story of a 20-something, first generation Egyptian-American who is on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. In addition to Youssef, the series stars Mohammed Amer, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, David Merheje, Laith Nakli and Steve Way.

It is written, executive produced, created by and starring Youssef, and executive produced by Jerrod Carmichael, A24’s Ravi Nandan, showrunner Bridget Bedard...

In today’s film news roundup, “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” comes back, Aubrey Plaza gets cast in a thriller and the Ruderman Family Foundation honors two series and two movies.

Re-release

Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures have scheduled 40th anniversary showings of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” on Sept. 15 and 18.

It’s the first nationwide cinema release since the film premiered in December, 1979. The presentation will also feature the behind-the-scenes documentary short “The Longest Trek: Writing the Motion Picture.”

Robert Wise directed “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” which became the fourth highest grossing film of the year and earned Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, and Best Music, Original Score. It starred William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, and James Doohan.

“’Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ is a visual marvel and a film that even many ardent ‘Star Trek...

The Ruderman Family Foundation has honored TV series Ramy and This Close, as well as films, Give Me Liberty and The Peanut Butter Falcon with its Seal of Authentic Representation for accurate depictions of people with disabilities. This is the second time the foundation has awarded its Seal and the first time it has awarded feature films.

On the TV side, Hulu’s Ramy is based on the life of comedian Ramy Youssef and has been ordered for a second season. The series features Steve Way, who has Muscular Dystrophy, as his best friend — he’s also Youssef’s best friend in real life. Sundance TV’s romantic drama This Close follows a deaf couple and was created by and stars deaf actors Shoshannah Stern and Josh Feldman. The second season of this Sundance TV series September premieres Sept. 12.

On the feature side, Give Me Liberty tells the story of...

In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix sets a premiere date for the fourth season of “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” and Revry releases a trailer for a new series starring Laura Linney.

First Looks

Revry has dropped the first trailer, obtained exclusively by Variety, for Laura Linney’s new series “Sink Sank Sunk.” The series follows Cooper (Will Seefried), a young gay recluse whose journey to complete his late-mother’s (Linney) passion project takes him into the unfamiliar waters of community, empathy, and romantic love.

Dates

“Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” will return to Netflix Aug. 4. The upcoming fourth season of the variety show, in which Minhaj takes on the modern cultural and political landscape, will continue to feature comedic monologues and interviews with celebrity guests.

Season six of “Finding Your Roots,” will premiere Oct. 8 and air through Fall 2020 on PBS. The forthcoming season will feature 27 new guests including actor Jeffrey Wright,...

Newly-cast “Blade” star Mahershala Ali will guest star on the second season of Hulu’s “Ramy,” it was announced Friday during the TCA tour.

The comedy will return for Season 2 in 2020.

Alongside Ramy Youssef as a fictional version of himself, the show also stars Amr Waked (Farouk Hassan), Hiam Abbas (Maysa Hassan), Dena Calmawy (Dena Hassan) as his fictional family and Mohammed Amer (Mo), Dave Merheje (Ahmed) and Steve Way (Steve) as his friends.

Also Read: Wesley Snipes Congratulates 'Talented' Mahershala Ali on Being Cast as 'Blade'

“Ramy” follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) who is on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood.

According to Hulu, “Ramy” explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that might not believe in an afterlife.

Also Read: Mahershala Ali to...

Throughout the first 10 episodes of Hulu’s “Ramy,” our lead Ramy Hassan’s love life is pulled in two different directions: either he settles down with a Muslim girl at the wishes of his parents, or he goes out-of-the-box and just does what feels right. In the season finale, Hassan somehow manages to do both, locking lips with someone he really connected with in Egypt who’s also Muslim.

Except– wait — it’s his cousin.

“The relationship my character finds in Cairo is definitely an unconventional one,” “Ramy” co-creator and star Ramy Youssef tells TheWrap of the finale. “It’s going to be really exciting to unravel the complications that Ramy has created for himself in season two.“

Also Read: Why Ramy Youssef Doesn't Intend 'Ramy' to Represent Every Muslim Experience

Alongside Youssef as a fictional version of himself, the show also stars Amr Waked (Farouk Hassan), Hiam Abbas (Maysa...

Ramy Youssef discovered a gaping hole in comedy. Not only were Muslim people vastly underrepresented, but stories of first-generation Americans always seemed to involve a flat-out rejection of parents’ religion or cultural values. Cue hilarious clashes and misunderstandings. Instead, Youssef’s Hulu comedy Ramy explores the experience of a young Egyptian-American Muslim man living in New Jersey, who believes in God and embraces his heritage, while blending them with his American life. Loosely based on Youssef’s own experiences, and borne out of his work as a stand-up comedian, Ramy is a fresh and introspective take.

How did you get from stand-up to making Ramy?

I was opening for Jerrod Carmichael while he was doing stand-up for his special. And his show was on the air at the time, and we started really brainstorming. What would it look like to have a Muslim family show, and a show that could get into our details,...