CBS Picks Up Tracy Letts-Inspired Series Superior Donuts

Judd Hirsch and Jermaine Fowler costar in the new show, set for a mid-season premiere.

Judd Hirsch will star in the new CBS comedy Superior Donuts.
Judd Hirsch will star in the new CBS comedy Superior Donuts.
(© Tristan Fuge)

According to reports by Variety, CBS has greenlit the new comedy series Superior Donuts, ordering 13 episodes for the current television season.

Inspired by Tony winner Tracy Letts' 2009 Broadway play of the same name, Superior Donuts follows the relationship between the gruff proprietor of a donut shop (Judd Hirsch), his enterprising new young employee (Jermaine Fowler), and their loyal patrons, in a quickly gentrifying Chicago neighborhood. Rounding out the cast are David Koechner, Maz Jobrani, Anna Baryshnikov, Darien Sills-Evans, Rell Battle, and Katey Sagal.

Fowler, who has been attached to the project from the beginning, will serve as executive producer in addition to starring. Bob Daily, Neil Goldman, Garrett Donovan, Mark Teitelbaum, John Montgomery, Michael Rotenberg, and Josh Lieberman are also executive-producing.

Superior Donuts was re-piloted after being picked up to pilot this past development season. Before the re-pilot, three-time Tony nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Something Rotten!) played the role now performed by Hirsch.