TV & Film
After three years of dazzling viewers as the host of Live from E!’s red carpet coverage, Laverne Cox is bidding farewell to E! Entertainment to focus on an exciting new chapter. The Emmy-nominated actress and activist shared the news on Instagram, posting a heartfelt message alongside a montage of her most iconic red carpet moments.
“With an incredible amount of gratitude, I’ve decided not to return as host of Live from E!’s red carpet coverage,” Cox wrote. “I’m so incredibly proud of the work we did over my three-year tenure. These moments are a reminder to me of what an incredible privilege it has been to talk to some of the world’s greatest artists about their work.”
She concluded her post with a tease of what’s next: Clean Slate, her upcoming scripted comedy series, which will premiere on Amazon Prime on February 6.
E! Entertainment responded to Cox’s announcement with warmth, writing under her post, “We had the timE! of our lives.” The amicable split marks the end of a fruitful collaboration, which saw Cox bring her signature wit and grace to countless high-profile events.
Cox will star in Clean Slate, a scripted comedy series she developed alongside legendary producer Norman Lear and comedian George Wallace. The series, initially announced in 2020, is now gearing up for its long-awaited debut.
The show follows Desiree Slate (Cox), an out and proud trans woman who returns to her hometown of Mobile, Alabama, to reconnect with her estranged father, Harry (Wallace). Their reunion is fraught with challenges, as Harry grapples with the realization that Desiree isn’t the same child he last saw 23 years ago.
“Ultimately, this show is about love, family, and trying to figure out how to connect after being away from each other,” Cox said in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. “Desiree has grown up in New York and become a very different person, not just in terms of her gender identity, but culturally as well.”
Cox shared that Clean Slate pays homage to Lear’s iconic sitcoms, such as The Jeffersons and One Day at a Time, which masterfully addressed social issues with humor and heart.
“[It’s] very much a tribute to the legacy of Norman Lear,” she explained. “It tackles intense issues in a way that’s accessible and doesn’t preach to you.”
The series boasts a stellar supporting cast, including D.K. Uzoukwu as Louis, Desiree’s childhood best friend and a closeted choir director; Jay Wilkison as Mack, Harry’s car wash employee; and Norah Murphy as Mack’s precocious 10-year-old daughter.
As Cox steps away from the red carpet spotlight, her passion for storytelling continues to shine. “I’m so excited to keep growing, evolving, and exploring great opportunities as an actress, artist, host, and speaker,” she wrote.
Fans can catch the premiere of Clean Slate on Amazon Prime on February 6, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for the trailblazing star.