Top Story: Gints Zilbalodis On The Improvisational Filmmaking Style Of 'Flow'
Ramy Youssef Ramy Youssef

Amazon has unveiled new series details and voice cast information for a previously-announced animated series from Ramy Youssef, part of a first-look deal between the creator and the platform.

Originally ordered in March last year, the series is now titled #1 Happy Family USA. According to Variety, which first reported the new details, the series will center on “the experiences of a Muslim American family that must learn how to code-switch as they navigate the early 2000s: a time of fear, war, and the rapid expansion of the boy-band industrial complex.”

The series’ voice cast includes Youssef, Alia Shawkat, Salma Hindy, Randa Jarrar, Mandy Moore, Chris Redd, Akaash Singh, and Whitmer Thomas. Youssef stars as Rumi Hussein, an imaginative 12-year-old boy who wants to fit in. Named after the iconic Persian poet and philosopher, the boy struggles to live up to his namesake. Youssef will also voice the boy’s father, Hussein Hussein, with Shawkat voicing the boy’s sister Mona and Hindy voicing his mother Sharia.

Youssef co-created the series with veteran tv writer and producer Pam Brady, who co-created the notoriously racist webseries Mr. Wong; both are executive producing with journalist and illustrator Mona Chalabi and actor Josh Rabinowitz (Ramy). Youssef’s Cairo Cowboy is producing with co-producers A24 and Amazon Studios.

This series is another representation of Amazon’s ambitions in animation. The streamer was recently announced as the future home for Warner-produced animated content from the DC Universe. For originals, Amazon previously announced Sausage Party: Foodtopia and The Hospital.

A24, which is producing #1 Happy Family USA, similarly looks to be pushing further into animation after backing one of this year’s favorites to score a best animated feature Oscar nomination, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. The indie powerhouse is also working with Vivienne “VivziePop” Medrano on the upcoming animated series Hazbin Hotel.

Pictured at top: Ramy Youssef publicly speaking at the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) Media Awards in 2017. Photo: MPAC National, licensed CC by 2.0.

Jamie Lang

Jamie Lang is the Editor-in-Chief of Cartoon Brew.

Latest News from Cartoon Brew