NBC’s comedy, Kenan, starring Kenan Thompson, has added Saturday Night Live star Chris Redd and actor Don Johnson to the cast. Last year, NBC ordered a pilot of Kenan and slated Andy Garcia as Thompson’s tenacious father-in-law. Initially directed by Chris Rock and penned by Jackie Clarke, Kenan follows a recently widowed Thompson as he struggles to balance his career as a morning show host with single-parenthood. Since the pilot has been picked up to series, it appears Kenan has been reworked.
According to Deadline, SNL star Redd and Don Johnson (Miami Vice) join the Kenan cast. Johnson will take over for Garcia and play Rick, Kenan’s father-in-law, while Redd will portray Kenan’s brother (and seemingly permanent house guest), Gary. Best known for his portrayal as James Crockett in Miami Vice, Johnson has recently been seen in HBO’s Watchman and Knives Out. Revered for his stellar comedic timing, Redd is known for his roles in Netflix’s Disjointed, and as a staple cast member on SNL, like Thompson.
While the cast list changed with the additions of Redd and Johnson, Thompson and Dani Lockett and Dana Lockett, who play his young daughters, remain the only cast members from the original pilot. Executive produced by Thompson and Lorne Michaels, Kenan will be helmed by showrunner David Caspe (Happy Endings). As of this writing, NBC is eyeing a 2021 release date for Kenan.
As it stands, Thompson holds the title as the longest-running cast member of SNL. It will be interesting to see how Thompson and Redd juggle their time between the two series, but for now, they appear committed to both. No doubt, the additions of Redd and Johnson will bring more comedic talent to the table for NBC’s Kenan.
