Apple TV+ has announced that Ayo Edebiri will be starring in a new rom-com opposite White Lotus alum Will Sharpe, and fans are ecstatic about the actress’s first leading role in the genre
Ayo Edebiri is venturing into the rom-com universe with a newly announced Apple TV+ series. The American actress and comedian will be starring opposite The White Lotus alum Will Sharpe in a new series for the streaming platform, on which she will also serve as executive producer.
Apple TV+ announced its new comedy series “Prodigies” will be an “unusual take on a classic romantic comedy”. The series will centre on the relationship of two former child prodigies, though this is no cookie-cutter rom-com, according to the streaming giant. The new series “challenges the fallacy at the heart of romantic storytelling — that the tale is over when the heroes get together.”
The story will follow Didi (Edebiri) and Ren (Sharpe), two child prodigies that have been together since they were children. Now in their early 30s, the two begin questioning whether their very ordinary existence is living up to the extraordinary promise of their childhood. As the series unfolds, the two find themselves also begin questioning their longstanding relationship.
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The series is created, written and directed by Sharpe, who previously wrote Flowers starring Oliva Coleman. Sharpe was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy for his writing on the show, and has won both a BAFTA and SAG award for his acting roles in Giri/Haji and The White Lotus respectively.
Ayo Edebiri fans have expressed massive excitement over the series announcement. Marking the actress’s first foray into romantic comedies, fans expect Edebiri to bring her signature brand of authenticity and humour to the time-honoured genre.
Fans took to the official Apple announcement on X to share their enthusiasm. Commenting on the post, one Edebiri diehard wrote: “WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR AYO’S ROMCOM ERA LETS GOOOO».
Other fans expressed particular excitement about the combination of Edebiri’s acting and Sharpe’s writing. One fan wrote: “Ayo Edebiri in a rom-com by Will Sharpe? My emotionally complex, awkwardly funny heart is already invested”.
The reaction to the pair acting side-by-side is also exciting fans, with one writing: “Ayo + Will + rom-com = chaotic excellence incoming. Inject this right into my watchlist.» Another fan expressed their love for the actress, jokingly commenting: “I would write and star in a romcom so I could kiss Ayo too I get it».
The fact that the romance will also feature two non-white leads has also been highlighted by fans. One eager fan commented: “A rom-com starring talented Afro-Carribean-American and Japanese-British leads? I’m interested.»
This is technically Ayo Edebiri’s first romantic comedy, though she has starred in other comedies with a romantic edge like Bottoms in 2023. In recent months, Edebiri has been leaning away from outright comedy. In addition to her recurring role on The Bear, her most recent project is in the American thriller Opus – which released in theatres in March 2025.
That said, fans have been waiting for the star to make a bigger splash in the world of romance. Fans went wild in 2024 when pictures of Edebiri and Paul Mescal celebrating St. Patrick’s Day together sparked rumours of a joint romcom project.
The flames of the rumoured collaboration were further stoked when the romance author Emily Henry and screenwriter Yulin Kuang shared Edebiri’s posts on Instagram. Henry, whose viral-hit novel Book Lovers is set for adaptation, told Variety that while she «can’t confirm or deny» the casting, she thinks Mescal and Edebiri would be a great fit for the film.
Edebiri is already set for a jam-packed year. In addition to the release of Opus, she is also set to write the screenplay for the upcoming live-action “Barney” movie which is being produced jointly by A24 and Daniel Kaluuya. The live-action project was first announced in November 2019 and while much of the plot is being kept under wraps, sources revealed to Variety that Kaluuya will not be starring in the movie alongside Edebiri.
Apple TV+ has not yet confirmed a release date for Prodigies. The show will be produced by the Emmy and BAFTA award-winning production studio, SISTER, which has worked with Sharpe previously on Giri/Haji and Flowers.
