Ming-Na Wen Lands Super Chill Role in Awkwafina’s New Comedy Show

September 13, 2019

Ming-Na Wen has been tapped to guest-star in Comedy Central’s “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens,” an upcoming series loosely based on Awkwafina’s — or Nora Lum’s — life growing up in outer-borough New York City.

The “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” star, who was recently cast in “Star Wars: The Mandalorian,” will play Sandra, Nora’s “bohemian, earthy and spiritual aunt who comes for a visit,” according to TV Line.

In an Instagram post, Wen declared her love for Awkwafina and expressed gratitude for taking part in the show.

“I love this girl to the moon and back! Thanks, Nora, for bringing so much to the table. You are remarkable! Thanks for having me be part of this awesome ensemble. Just had so much fun farting around with you all!”

Drawing from Awkwafina’s real-life experiences, the half-hour show stars BD Wong as her father and Lori Tan Chinn as her grandmother, who both raised her in their Flushing home, as well as Bowen Yang, who will take on the role of a “more successful” cousin.

Simu Liu, who made headlines after being cast as Marvel’s “Shang-Chi,” also teased working with Awkwafina in a recent Instagram post, which some speculated could be a hint of his appearance on the show.

Aside from taking on the title role, Awkwafina is executive producing the 10-episode series with Lucia Aniello, Karey Dornetto, Peter Principato and Itay Reiss of Artists First.

She also co-wrote the pilot episode with Dornetto and Teresa Hsiao, while Aniello served as director.

“I’ve been watching Comedy Central since I was old enough to hold a remote, and so many of their shows have defined who I am today,” Awkwafina said last November, according to Variety. “I am so honored to be given their platform to tell the story of an Asian American girl against the backdrop of the city I was raised.”

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Other directors slated for the series include Natasha Lyonne (“Russian Doll”), Jamie Babbit (“But I’m a Cheerleader”), The Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Swiss Army Man”), Steven Tsuchida (“Younger”) and Anu Valia (“The Other Two”), according to Deadline.

Hsiao will also co-executive produce with Monica Zielinska, Adam Londy and Rachel Olson serving as executives for Comedy Central, ComingSoon.net noted.

“Nora from Queens” debuts in January 2020.

Featured Images via Instagram / @mingna_wen

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