Starz’s upcoming Harlem-set female comedy, Run the World, has added Erika Alexander (Wu Tang: An American Saga, Get Out) to its cast, via Shadow and Act. The news became known as the series began production in New York City. In addition to Alexander, Nick Sagar (The Princess Switch, Queen of the South) and Jay Walker (Sleight, Coin Heist) will be series regulars. Tonya Pinkins (Gotham, All My Children) is set to be a guest star.

Created by Leigh Davenport (Boomerang, Harlem Heights), Run the World centers on four black female friends navigating life, love, and friendship, according to Shadow and Act. The series stars Amber Stevens West (The Carmichael Show, 22 Jump Street), Andrea Bordeaux (Pressure, Dynasty), Bresha Webb (A Fall From Grace, The Last O.G.), and Corbin Reid (Valor, How to Get Away With Murder). Co-stars include Tosin Morohunfola (Black Box, The Chi) and Stephen Bishop (Fatal Affair, Being Mary Jane). Yvette Lee Bowser (Dear White People, Lush Life) will serve as showrunner. Both Davenport and Bowser will executive produce.

“Run the World is the latest STARZ series that illustrates the network’s commitment to spotlighting diverse voices and stories that reflect a full spectrum of women both in front of and behind the camera,” said Christina Davis, President of Programming for Starz according to Shadow and Act. “Leigh Davenport and Yvette Lee Bowser are creating a bold and authentic scripted series that focuses on four strong and confident Black women who are smart, successful and loyal who live and thrive in Harlem – which is as much of a major character as any of the other characters in the series,” Davis said via Shadow and Act.

“Run the World is a love letter to Black women and a love letter to Harlem, that I hope inspires young, ambitious Black women to feel powerful, desirable, and free,” said Davenport via Shadow and Act. “I created this series to celebrate the amazing women in my life and to illuminate the special bonds we built living in Harlem while pursuing our post-collegiate dreams,” Davenport said via Shadow and Act.

With Alexander joining the show, she reunites with Bowser who created Living Single, according to Shadow and Act. For five seasons, Alexander portrayed free-loading attorney Maxine Shaw on the 1990s Fox sitcom.

“I’m genuinely excited to be producing such a joyous, authentic and complex depiction of Black women on screen,” said Bowser via Shadow and Act. “Our series will no doubt entertain and embolden more of us to live our truest and fullest lives,” Bowser said via Shadow and Act.

“We’re excited to safely start production on the next empowering series from our incredible partner Yvette Lee Bowser,” said Lionsgate Television Chairman Kevin Beggs via Shadow and Act. “We have a very talented cast and a great production team to bring Leigh Davenport and Yvette’s vision to the screen and to our friends at STARZ,” Beggs said via Shadow and Act.

According to Shadow and Act, the show will be produced through Lionsgate Television. Millicent Shelton (30 Rock, Insecure) will direct the pilot. Other directors include Justin Tipping (Nani, Kicks), Jenée LaMarque (The Pretty One, The Feels), and Nastran Dibai (Dear White People, Rita Rocks).