Issa Rae Sets HBO Pilot About Male Friendship and Pro Boxers in Las Vegas

10 years after Issa Rae‘s seminal comedy series “Insecure” premiered on HBO, the network has ordered a new comedy pilot written and executive produced by Rae. Currently being referred to as “Untitled Male Friendship Show,” the official logline says that the show follows “Menzel, a 30-year-old barber, aspiring sports manager and professional best friend to JB, an up-and-coming boxer, as they navigate ambition, insecurity, loneliness and the double-edged sword of success within the high-stakes world of professional boxing in Las Vegas.” The project marks a reunion between Rae and Prentice Penny, who will serve as showrunner and executive producer through his A Penny For Your Thoughts banner after serving in the same roles on all five seasons of “Insecure” from 2016 to 2021. Penny will also direct the HBO pilot. Popular on Variety Rae is best known for “Insecure,” which she created, executive produced and starred in. Her acting credits also include Greta Gerwig’s 2023 film “Barbie,” the 2025 “Black Mirror” episode “Hotel Reverie,” Cord Jefferson’s 2023 film “American Fiction” and guest appearances in “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” which she also executive produced. Rae’s other writing and producing credits include the 2025 box office hit “One of Them Days,” starring Keke Palmer and SZA, as well as the 2022-2023 HBO Max series “Rap Shit.” Penny’s other writing credits include “Girlfriends,” “Scrubs,” Happy Endings,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Black Twitter: A People’s History.” Along with Rae and Penny, executive producers on the HBO pilot include Jax Clark via Rae’s Hoorae banner and Jonathan Berry and Dave Becky via 3 Arts Entertainment.