Freeform developing an Arab-American dramedy from Empire team

Deadline

Empire co-creator Danny Strong and longtime Empire director and executive producer Sanaa Hamri, who last week teamed on a Taraji P. Henson-led Cookie Lyon spinoff, are reteaming again on dramedy Ya Bint. The potential Freeform series would capture what it's like being young, Arab and female in today’s America. Written by Dina Shihabi and Rolla Selbak, "Ya Bint focuses on a trio of pals who have moved from the Middle East to Los Angeles. The series will follow friends Maya, Jumana, and Lara through their navigation and experiences across cultures and expectations in the often anything-goes City of Angels," per Deadline. Hamri, who was born in Tangier, Moracco, will helm Ya Bint, whose title is based on an Arabic term intended to get a girl’s interest. Strong will serve as a non-writing executive producer.