In case you have been missing out on the tale told by the successful ABC comedy, Fresh Off the Boat, Deadline has news on the next best thing to it. According to a press release issued today, producer and author Eddie Huang will join up with Showtime to develop a new series for viewers all around the world. For his latest project, Panda, which he’ll also executive produce, Huang will once again draw inspiration from the environment around him. The film’s protagonist is a street-smart child from Orlando, Florida, named Panda. In the late 1990s, when Panda is trying to take over the ecstasy trade by hawking his products at all the warehouse parties and raves that can be found, we will follow Panda’s attempts to do just that.
Panda’s mother, Jade, encourages her son to “be the best of the dumb people,” and Jade also lends a helping hand. In the early days of the party scene drug trade, Panda and Jade set out to become the top names by combining their street and book smarts. With an impressive range of skills, Huang is also a skilled chef, and he’s demonstrated this skill by presenting a number of cooking-themed shows, including Cheap Bites and Unique Eats and Huang’s World. Each of Huang’s productions has allowed him to take audiences on a thorough examination of diverse cultures and how food ties us all together. Boogie, his debut feature film, was a major triumph for him in 2021 as well. Alfred “Boogie” Chin, a native of Queens, New York, grows up in the Focus Features-backed drama, which follows his life story (Taylor Takahashi). Parents have different plans for their son’s future than the young basketball prodigy’s.
A growing romance, the demands of his parents, and a desire to spend as much time on the court as possible are all issues that Boogie has to contend with in this film. With Panda, Matt Dines and Jonah Hill’s Strong Baby production company will work with Showtime to develop. Huang will be joined as executive producer by the production team. If you’re interested in seeing more of Huang’s work, you can check out a clip from Fresh Off the Boat right here. Panda has yet to announce a release date.