Chris Sullivan is set to star in the ABC comedy pilot “The Son in Law,” Variety has confirmed.
Sullivan will star in the single-cam comedy as Jake, a divorced dad with a 21 year old daughter. Jake never thought he would love again, until Asha came along. The problem is that Jake, a hard-working plumbing contractor, is solidly middle class, while Asha hails from the equivalent of uber-wealthy South Asian royalty. Jake wants to marry Asha, and while he still needs to ask Asha’s father for his blessing, the real stumbling block is Asha’s loving but controlling mother, who doesn’t hide her feelings about Jake being all wrong for her daughter.
Sullivan currently stars on the hit NBC drama “This Is Us,” which is airing its sixth and final season. His work on the show has netted him two Emmy nominations for best supporting actor in a drama series. Sullivan’s other TV credits include “The Knick,” “Stranger Things,” and “Camping.” On the film side, he memorably played the character Taserface in the in Marvel feature “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” He has also recently appeared in films like “Agnes,” “I Trapped the Devil,” and “Adopt a Highway.”
He is repped by Suskin/Karshan Management, imPRint, and Hansen Jacobson.
“The Son in Law” is written by Ajay Sahgal, who also executive produces. Melvin Mar and Jake Kasdan also executive produce. 20th Television is the studio.
Sullivan is now the third “This Is Us” cast member to land a leading role in a broadcast pilot, and the second to land one at ABC. Milo Ventimiglia is attached to star in the ABC drama pilot “The Company You Keep,” while Justin Hartley is set to lead the CBS drama pilot “The Never Game.”
Deadline first reported Sullivan’s casting.