Ramy Youssef's first animated series #1 Happy Family USA is a satire about post 9/11 America
Ramy Youssef will release his first animated series, #1 Happy Family USA, this April. Youssef tells The National: 'This is a premise I had wanted to see come to life for a long time". Co-created by Youssef and Pam Brady (South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, Team America: World Police, Hamlet 2) and produced by British-Iraqi journalist and illustrator Mona Chalabi, the series was helmed by Youssef's own production company Cairo Cowboy, as well as A24 and Amazon MGM Studios. The eight-episode first season will be released on April 17 via Amazon Prime Video. Set in the early 2000s, the show follows the 'manically upbeat' Hussein family – 'the most patriotic, most peaceful and most-definitely-not-suspicious Muslim family in post 9/11 'Amreeka',' according to the official description. Youssef adds: 'It's set in the early 2000s, which is an exciting time to look at from this vantage point. Surprisingly, a lot of the same tensions exist. So it's been fun just looking at that era with 20 years of experience.' Youssef headlines the cast opposite Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development, Search Party). Youssef voices Rumi, described as a hopeful 12-year-old-boy with a big imagination and a desire to fit in. The comedian also takes the role of Hussein Hussein, the family's patriarch, a former cardiothoracic surgeon, who now runs a halal cart. Shawkat plays his older sister Mona, the family's "golden child". Also starring are rising comedian Salma Hindy, author Randa Jarrar, as well as comedian Akaash Singh, Chris Redd, Whitmer Thomas and Mandy Moore. Hindy plays the family's mother, Sharia, who is equally obsessed with being a good mum and solving the conspiracy around Princess Diana's death. Jarrar plays Grandma, a blunt, talk-show obsessed niqabi woman. The subject matter is something Youssef has explored in his own work before, including in his stand-up comedy specials and in the fourth episode of the series Ramy's first season. While the show was inspired by his existing comedic material, it has grown due to the input of his collaborators and their own experiences. 'Much of it is spilling over from my stand-up and my own inner stuff, but this is very much a comedy collective,' Youssef explains. 'For me, this cartoon is a great collection of people that I've been wanting to work with for the last few years coming together – some of my favourite emerging comedians and writers' fingerprints are on it.' Youssef notes that it was particularly exciting to work with Chalabi, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2023 for her work with the New York Times. 'She's an amazing journalist and political cartoonist. And she very much has her own style, so this is modern political cartoon show that is really dope.' Youssef doesn't think the show compares to any animated series to date, saying: 'I just want it to be its own thing". The comedian is set to have a busy 2025. In addition to his coming cartoon, he co-wrote each episode of Mo season two, a series he co-created with Mo Amer, which released in January to great acclaim. He also has a show titled Golf, set to premiere on Netflix at an unannounced date, the first project under his current first-look deal with the streaming platform. Youssef will next perform comedy as part of a benefit event to support those affected by the Los Angeles fires on March 4. His latest comedy special, Ramy Youssef: More Feelings, was nominated for a Golden Globe in January.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
12 hours ago
- Gulf Today
F1 movie star Pitt finally gets to drive a Formula One car
Brad Pitt, whose new F1 movie is out next week, has now driven a Formula One car for real after testing a McLaren at Austin's Circuit of the Americas. The reigning world champions confirmed the Hollywood A lister drove a 2023 McLaren MCL60 car at the Texas track on Thursday. Media reports said the British-based team had been carrying out a private test with F1 regular Lando Norris and F2 driver Alex Dunne. It was the first time 61-year-old Pitt, who plays the fictional racing driver Sonny Hayes in the Apple Originals movie, had driven a real Formula One car on track. The cars used in the making of the film were Formula Two cars, modified by Mercedes to look like real grand prix racers. Champions McLaren had teased the drive on Thursday with a social media post of overalls with the initials BP and the caption "It's a Sonny day in Austin". Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, a co-producer of the movie, said in March that Pitt had shown real speed while testing the F2 cars. "Watching Brad drive around at speeds over 180 miles an hour was really impressive to see because it's not something you can just learn overnight," he said. "The dedication and the focus that Brad put into this process has been amazing to witness." Reuters
Emirates Woman
a day ago
- Emirates Woman
8 celebrity dads who prove fatherhood is their favorite role
Life by Team Emirates Woman June 20, 2025 With Father's Day takes place on June 21, we thought it was only fitting to take a look at some of the most doting dads out there. Sheikh Hamdan View this post on Instagram His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is the epitome of a doting dad to his one-year-old twins Rashid and Sheikha. His Highness welcomed the twins in May 2021 and over the last year he has shared snippets of the growing little ones on social media. From travels abroad to trips to see the giraffes to passing down his love for horses, Sheikh Hamdan has taken to fatherhood seamlessly. Khalid Al Ameri Known as an avid storyteller, Emirati content creator Khalid Al Ameri regularly shares tidbits about his life, particularly about his two children Khalifa and Abdullah. Al Ameri has previously opened up about his youngest son Abdullah's autism, revealing it changed him for the better in a heartfelt video, which was originally posted to his YouTube channel in 2019. 'He looks at the world differently — the focus he has and the way he cares about things he loves has changed me,' Al Ameri says in the video. 'It has changed me as a father and it has changed me as a human being.' Mohamed Hadid View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mohamedhadid. (@mohamedhadid) Mohamed Hadid is famous for his real estate, where he builds luxury hotels and mansions in Bel Air and Beverly Hills. However, he is perhaps better known as father to Anwar, Gigi, Bella, Marielle and Alana. This celebrity dad is constantly posting about his children, making it very clear how proud he is of their achievements on his Instagram. Ali F. Mostafa View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ali F. Mostafa (@alimostafa) British-Emirati filmmaker Ali F. Mostafa has had great success within the movie industry. However, he's also a doting dad to his three children Ayah, Faisal and Zayed. John Legend View this post on Instagram A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend) Father to Luna and Miles, John Legend is one of the most doting dads out there. Raising his two children with his wife Chrissy Teigen, Legend is frequently captured wearing matching outfits with his son Miles and treating his daughter to a birthday at Disneyland. David Beckham View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) Former professional footballer David Beckham adores his four children; Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper-Seven. The famous family are renowned across the world for their close family dynamics, regularly sharing snippets into their family life on Instagram. Elias Bakhazi Husband to Karen Wazen and father to George, Karile and Kay, Elias Bakhazi always puts his children first. On Instagram, his bio reads 'Proud Daddy and Husband' showing just how important his three children and family are to him. Will Smith View this post on Instagram A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) Father to Trey, Jaden and Willow, Will Smith is very close with his children as they frequently accompany him to movie premieres to show support for their father. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Feature Image: Instagram @eliasbakhazi
Broadcast Pro
2 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
Al-Manaṣa signs content exchange deal with Yango Play
This agreement supports Al-Manaṣa's strategy to enhance its content and diversify entertainment through global and regional streaming partnerships. In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the digital streaming market, Al-Manaṣa, the digital streaming platform in Iraq, has signed a content exchange agreement with Yango Play, an entertainment platform in the Middle East and North Africa region. According to the agreement, Al-Manaṣa will acquire three Yango Originals — One Last Sin, The Magician's Segment and Prestige — giving users in Iraq the opportunity to watch them via the Al-Manaṣa app. In return, Yango Play will receive two of Al-Manaṣa's original titles — The Rass Al-Haram and Coma — to broadcast to its viewers outside of Iraq. Commenting on the agreement, Al-Manaṣa's CEO, Almuheleb AlZaidy, stated: 'We are thrilled about this collaboration with Yango Play. It marks a significant step in our ongoing mission to deliver high-quality, original content that meets the expectations of the Iraqi audience. This agreement further cements Al-Manaṣa's position as the premier digital entertainment destination in Iraq and opens new doors for presenting Arab stories with world-class production values.' Yango Play also expressed its enthusiasm about expanding its footprint in the Iraqi market through this agreement. Khalid Al Sargany, Head of Content Acquisition at Yango Play, MENA, said: 'We are pleased to sign this agreement with Al-Manaṣa, a platform that holds the trust and loyalty of Iraqi users. This collaboration supports our vision at Yango Play to bring our Yango Originals to newer markets within the MENA region.' This content exchange agreement aligns with Al-Manaṣa's broader strategy to enrich its content offering and provide a more diverse and engaging entertainment experience by expanding collaborations with leading global and regional digital content streaming platforms.
