The highly anticipated comedy series “Strikes,” centered around the world of cricket, has enlisted the writing talents of Josh Kirby and Jonathan Veles to craft the pilot episode, as reported exclusively by Variety.
Initially announced in February, the show is the brainchild of co-creators Dana Abraham and Bobby Berk, known for his role on “Queer Eye.” Both creators are set to star in the series alongside Shaun Majumder and Nazanin Mandi.
Production for the series is being spearheaded by Abraham’s Red Hill Creative production company, with intentions to pitch the show to studios and potential buyers in the near future. Tony Williams joins Abraham as a producer, with Berk, Jacob Silvera, Majumder, and Danny Treibatch rounding out the executive producing team.
Abraham praised Kirby and Veles for their ability to infuse the story with humor and respect for the cricket culture. Berk commended the duo for their fearlessness and comedic prowess, predicting that their work will resonate with audiences worldwide.
Kirby and Veles first crossed paths as performers on a cruise ship before joining forces as a writing team. Their collaboration has led to successful projects such as “The Real O’Neals” and “Fresh Off the Boat,” along with developments with major networks like Universal Television, Spectrum, and Amazon. Their Sundance-selected pilot, “Rock the Boat,” drew inspiration from their personal experiences and was pitched to Max with Greg Berlanti.
Represented by Range Media Partners, UTA, and Ziffren Brittenham, Kirby and Veles are poised to bring their unique voice to “Strikes.”
The official synopsis of “Strikes” follows the journey of Amar Farooqi, a former MLB pitcher whose career-ending injury redirects him to his South Asian roots through cricket. Tasked with revitalizing the struggling cricket team, the Steel City Strikers, Amar finds a new lease on sports glory with the help of steel company heir AJ Joshi, his publicist niece Maya, and their resourceful manager Mickey.
With a talented writing team at the helm and a compelling storyline, “Strikes” promises to entertain audiences with its blend of sports, humor, and cultural authenticity.
