Earlier today, Showtime president and CEO David Nevins appeared before the Television Critics Association winter press tour for the second executive session of the week. Part of the discussion revolved around the imminent arrival of two new series that were announced last spring: Guerrilla, the limited series starring Idris Elba and Freida Pinto; and I’m Dying Up Here, a one-hour drama from executive producer Jimi Carrey about the 1970s stand-up comedy scene in Los Angeles. Both shows will premiere this spring, with John Ridley’s six-part event series bowing on April 16 at 9 p.m. ET, while I’m Dying Up Here will kick off on Sunday, June 4 at 10 p.m. ET.
Guerrilla, “a love story set against the backdrop of one of the most politically explosive times in U.K. history,” will center on the counter-intelligence unit the British government formed to stamp out black activism. It also stars Denise Gough, Brandon Scott, and Penny Dreadful’s Rory Kinnear. Meanwhile, Melissa Leo leads the cast of I’m Dying Up Here as Goldie, a comedy club owner with a heart of gold behind a brassy facade. Ari Graynor, Michael Angarano, Clark Duke, Andrew Santino, Erik Griffin, RJ Cyler, Al Madrigal, and Jake Lacy will all play “competitive but close-knit comedians” who take the stage at Goldie’s club.