Leah Remini Has a New Job, & No, It Has Nothing to Do With Scientology

Leah Remini is still giving TV acting the good ol’ college try, and not even the cancellation of her show Kevin Can Wait, which she costarred on alongside former King of Queens pal Kevin James, can deter her. On Friday, June 15, The Hollywood Reporter announced that, in addition to her A&E docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, Remini would be taking on the lead role in a still-untitled Fox comedy that will see her playing a conservative lesbian. Should be we nervous?

More: Leah Remini Is Switching Gears From Scientology to Jehovah’s Witnesses

No, really. Should we be nervous? Because that Roseanne debacle is still fresh in our minds and hearing the phrase “Leah Remini will be playing a conservative lesbian” makes us a touch nervous. Sure, we’re excited for a new kind of character on television (why not welcome a viewpoint we don’t typically see?), but we want to make sure this is handled properly, you know?

But THR‘s report gives us hope that despite the touch-and-go first impression of the character description of Remini’s new role, this character and the show are in good hands. The show comes from the mind of writing duo Rob McElhenny and Rob Rosell, who have both worked on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (McElhenny also stars on the show). 

The show, whose working/tentative title is “Middle America,” will also reportedly be about “Jean [Remini’s character], who considers herself a patriot that loves her country and firmly believes in everyone’s right to be left alone. Jean in many ways fits the stereotype of a typical conservative. However, she leads a very progressive lifestyle as she is now married to a woman, Betty. Together, they’re raising Jean’s two sons with the help of the boys’ father and Jean’s ex-husband, Richie, who lives in the garage.” 

Okay, the Roseanne flashbacks are hitting hard right now. The be totally honest, the one saving grace in this equation is the unique perspective of McElhenny and Rosell. If their brand of humor for this show is going to be anything like what they’ve done on It’s Always Sunny, then expect things to get a little smarmy and gruff, but with a heart of gold and a dash of socioeconomic criticism inserted. 

More: Leah Remini Takes Her Daughter’s Breakfast Order — Via Text Message

Okay, maybe this might actually be more old Roseanne than new Roseanne the more we think about it. And if that’s the case, count us all the way in.