FREEFORM KICKS OFF PRODUCTION OF SCRIPTED COMEDY PILOT 'BROWN GIRLS' FROM WRITERS SHILPI ROY AND NASTARAN DIBAI

Punam Patel ('Kevin From Work,' 'Time for Bed with Punam Patel') and Hina Abdullah ('The Last Ship') Star in the Title Roles

Freeform today announced the start of production of scripted comedy pilot "Brown Girls." From writers Shilpi Roy and Nastaran Dibai, the multi-cam comedy pilot started production this week in Los Angeles.

Previously announced in the title roles, Hina Abdullah ("The Last Ship," "Young & Hungry") portrays Rimmi, a fashion-forward young woman, who's trying hard to ignore her Indian heritage and launch her own makeup vlog. Punam Patel ("Kevin From Work," "Time for Bed with Punam Patel") stars as Devi, who has recently emigrated from India and is confident and content with her traditional values. Brought together by family, Rimmi and Devi instantly clash over their different views on modern life and love, while slowly realizing they both have something to learn from one another.

Andrew Lees ("The Originals") will play Brian, Rimmi's ex-boyfriend, who is now her best friend. He loves all things Indian and has a great relationship with Rimmi's mother back in India. Brian is thrilled when Rimmi starts hanging out with her family friend Devi. Omar Maskati ("Better Call Saul") will portray Shaan, an attractive but awkward financial consultant, originally from India, who had a brief flirtation with Rimmi and is embarrassed when their paths cross again. Natalie Dreyfuss ("The Originals") plays Stella, Rimmi's fun-loving and self-absorbed boss at Glossy.com, who is unimpressed when Rimmi tries to become a YouTube star and suggests she do something more "authentic."

The pilot centers on the relationship between Rimmi, an Indian-American aspiring beauty vlogger, and Devi, a young woman who has recently emigrated from India. Brought together by family, Rimmi and Devi instantly clash over their different views on modern life and love, while slowly realizing they both have something to learn from one another. "Brown Girls" is written by co-executive producer Shilpi Roy ("Hipsterhood") and executive producer Nastaran Dibai (Check credit preference), and is executive produced by Tracy Katsky, Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor.

Actress and comedian Punam Patel also stars in Freeform's digital short-form series "Time for Bed with Punam Patel," which is live on Freeform.com, the Freeform app and Hulu. In "Time for Bed with Punam Patel," Patel hosts creative guests on this hilarious but cozy and intimate talk show. In true bedtime fashion, Punam tucks her guests into bed, chats about their life and current projects, and puts them to sleep with some ridiculous classic fairytales which are widely accepted as normal in one's youth. Some of the celebrity guests include Lisa Schwartz ("Party Girl," YouTube star), New Kids on the Block star Joey McIntyre, Bryan Safi ("Young & Hungry") and Isaiah Mustafa ("Shadowhunters"). "Time for Bed with Punam Patel" is produced by Colossal Youth. McG, Mary Viola, Virginia Melin and Stoney Sharp serve as executive producers, Nic Michaels as director, and Punam Patel as producer.

About Freeform

Part of the Disney|ABC Television Group, Freeform connects to audiences and goes beyond entertainment with bold original programming and immersive social engagement. The network delivers a unique mix of quality original and acquired series, plus fan favorite movies and the holiday events "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." The Freeform app is a service that allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on-demand access via a wide array of devices.