Amazon’s Prime Video has announced the production of a new comedy series created by and starring Oscar-winning actor Riz Ahmed.

The untitled eight-episode series will see Ahmed playing Shah Latif, a struggling actor on the brink of a major breakthrough who unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in an existential crisis and a trippy conspiracy thriller.

Ahmed, who won an Oscar for the short film The Long Goodbye and earned a Best Actor nomination for Sound of Metal, will also serve as co-showrunner alongside Ben Karlin, known for his work on ‘The Daily Show’ and ‘Modern Family’.

The series is produced by Jax Media and Amazon MGM Studios, with Ahmed’s Left Handed banner, which has a first-look deal with Amazon, playing a key role in the production.

“I’ve wanted to tell this story for a long time,” Ahmed said. “It’s personal, bold, and a lot of fun. It feels so good to be writing and creating it now with this incredible team.”

Vernon Sanders, head of television for Amazon MGM Studios, expressed his enthusiasm, “Riz Ahmed is a gifted writer, actor, and producer, and we have been energized by his passion. Led by Riz and the hilarious Ben Karlin, and guided by Rola Bauer’s Pan-English team, this series is sure to delight our global Prime Video customers and make them laugh.”

In addition to Ahmed in the lead role, the series will feature a strong supporting cast and writing team. Notable writers include Dipika Guha (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Black Monday), Prashanth Venkataramanujam (Patriot Act), Karen Joseph Adcock (The Bear, Atlanta), Azam Mahmood (Industry, Ramy), and novelist Fatima Farheen Mirza.

Ahmed and Left Handed’s Allie Moore will executive produce the series alongside Karlin, Jake Fuller of Jax Media, and Roopesh Parekh. The collaboration aims to bring a fresh, humorous perspective to the streaming platform.

This new series marks Ahmed’s first regular TV role since The Night Of, for which he won an Emmy in 2017. He also had a recurring part on Netflix’s The OA and guest-starred on Girls, earning an Emmy nod. Ahmed’s upcoming projects include roles in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme and a contemporary adaptation of Hamlet, in which he plays the title role.

The new series promises to combine Ahmed’s unique storytelling with his distinct comedic flair. With a strong creative team and Ahmed’s proven track record in both acting and producing, the show is poised to be a standout addition to Amazon’s Prime Video lineup, offering viewers a mix of laughter, intrigue, and thought-provoking themes.