Ramy Youssef, the Golden Globe-winning star of Hulu’s “Ramy,” has been cast in his next movie.
It’s a first for “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong, who is making his feature directorial debut.
Youssef, a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, director and producer, grew up in Rutherford.
He made his film debut in Yorgos Lanthimos' Oscar-winning 2023 film “Poor Things” opposite Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo.
HBO announced the cast for Armstrong’s film Tuesday. The cable network shared an image of a script with the title of the film blurred out.
So, no name for now. What’s it about?
“A group of billionaire friends get together against the backdrop of a rolling international crisis.”
Youssef plays a character named Jeff in the movie written and directed by Armstrong. He will star alongside Oscar nominee Steve Carell (as Randall), Jason Schwartzman (Hugo Van Yalk) and Cory Michael Smith (Venis).
READ MORE: N.J. actor Ramy Youssef takes us inside ‘Poor Things,’ ‘Ramy’ and his feelings on Gaza
“I’m intrigued to discover whether being around so many brilliant actors and directors on ‘Succession’ has in any way rubbed off on me,” Armstrong said in a statement. “Let’s hope so.”
His film begins production this month in Park City, Utah, but the turnaround time will be very quick.
The movie is set to air on HBO and stream on Max this spring.
Armstrong, 54, was nominated for an Oscar in 2010 for his work as a writer on the film “In the Loop” (co-written by “Veep” creator Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell) which starred James Gandolfini, among others, and was nominated for best adapted screenplay.
READ MORE: N.J. star Ramy Youssef talks Gaza, Biden and book reports in ‘More Feelings’ comedy special
Armstrong has seven Emmys for the acclaimed HBO series “Succession,” which won the Emmy for best drama series in 2020, 2022 and 2023. The drama ran for four seasons, starting in 2018 and ending in 2023.
Youssef, 33, won a Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy series in 2020 for his performance in the first season of “Ramy,” the New Jersey-set series he stars in and co-created.
He was nominated for another Globe this year for his second HBO stand-up comedy special “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings,” which he filmed at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City.
Youssef has also been nominated for three Emmys — two in 2020 for acting and directing in “Ramy” and one in 2024 for directing an episode of FX/Hulu’s “The Bear.”
Stories by Amy Kuperinsky
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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads.