The day when Hulu users may finally say “Welcome to Chippendales” has finally been announced. The limited series, formerly titled Immigrant, stars Kumail Nanjiani and investigates the bizarre beginnings of an exotic male stripper firm founded by an Indian man named Somen “Steve” Banerjee. Set to premiere on Hulu on November 22 (exactly three months away), the series will combine the lighthearted elements for which Chippendales is renowned with the darker, more strange true crime elements that lurk in the background. After the launch, new episodes will be available every week. The initial title of the show was inspired by the main character, Banerjee, who went from being a street urchin to the unexpected owner of the greatest male stripping empire in the world. Banerjee came to America from India in pursuit of better opportunities.
He had been doing well with his Playa del Rey Mobil gas station, so he decided to put part of his money into a dive bar in Hollywood. He rebranded it as Chippendales and did almost everything to it except keeping the weekly male-only revue. Chippendales’ sudden climb to fame, which included controversy, ruthlessness, and an astonishing collapse, was the result of their innovative cuff-and-collar shirtless male dancers. The series stars an All-Actress ensemble, including Kumail Nanjiani (fresh off his role in Obi-Wan Kenobi), Murray Bartlett (Banerjee’s cutthroat and charming business partner Nick De Noia), The White Lotus breakout star Juliette Lewis, and Annaleigh Ashford.
Additionally, the series will include a number of guest performers, including Quentin Plair, Robin de Jess, and Andrew Rannells, as well as Nicola Peltz Beckham and Dan Stevens. Nanjiani, Dylan Sellers, Jenni Konner, Matt Shakman, Emily V. Gordon, Nora Silver, and Rajiv Joseph are among the executive producers of Welcome to Chippendales, which was conceived by Siegel and co-produced by him and Sellers. Siegel recently produced the critically acclaimed Hulu limited series Pam & Tommy, which was nominated for 10 Emmys. Joseph co-wrote with Mehar Sethi to create Welcome to Chippendales, and Shakman helmed the film. Former showrunner Ramin Bahrani has been replaced by Shakman.
The November 22 release date for Welcome to Chippendales is earlier than many had anticipated. When the launch date was originally announced, it was assumed that we wouldn’t see any footage from the limited series until 2023.