Inside 'Ill Advised': Kayla Hopkins on Creating a Queer BIPOC NYC Sitcom

Behind the Scenes of the New Queer BIPOC TV Pilot "Ill-Advised" With Kayla Hopkins

In the vibrant and ever-evolving world of television, representation matters more than ever. Kayla Hopkins, the creative mind behind the new TV pilot Ill-Advised, offers a fresh voice by centering her story on three queer BIPOC twenty-somethings navigating life, love, and career in New York City. T

The Birth of Ill-Advised: Inspiration and Concept

Kayla’s love for classic sitcoms is the foundation of Ill-Advised. As an only child, Kayla found solace and joy in television shows like Friends, Living Single, Sex and the City, and Will & Grace. These series, centered around friend groups living in New York City, were not only binge-worthy but also comforting. However, Kayla noticed a glaring absence: she rarely saw herself reflected in these narratives.

This realization became a catalyst for Kayla’s own writing journey. She wanted to create a sitcom that featured a main ensemble that was both Black and queer—just like her. Describing the show as “Sex and the City, but Gen Z, Black, and queer,” she acknowledges the comparison is playful rather than literal, but it provides a useful frame of reference for understanding the vibe and tone she’s aiming for.

The show is comedic, young, and sexy, capturing the energy and challenges of queer life in New York City. Kayla’s vision is to fill the gap in mainstream media where stories about queer Black people in their twenties are still scarce.

Representation and Challenging Stereotypes

Representation is at the heart of Ill-Advised. Kayla is intentional about filling in the gaps rather than simply busting stereotypes. She trusts her audience to understand the difference between authentic portrayals and harmful tropes, choosing not to spend time “teaching” viewers what’s right or wrong. Instead, the show depicts real-life Black queer Gen Z individuals living their lives authentically in New York City.

Kayla emphasizes that this is not a show about trauma or unrequited love, which often dominate queer narratives in media. Instead, it’s about everyday moments—kissing, going to bars, having fun, and living a normal life. She wants to normalize the experience of being Black and queer in America, making it less of a taboo and more of an accepted part of the cultural landscape.

One of the key elements Kayla highlights is the importance of avoiding tokenism. Ill-Advised features a predominantly Black and queer main cast, moving beyond the common trope of a single token character. This ensemble approach offers a richer, more nuanced portrayal of queer Black life that audiences haven’t often seen before.

The Writing Process and Character Development

Interestingly, Kayla describes the writing process for Ill-Advised as unconventional. The characters came to her fully formed during a late-night moment in 2020, a time many remember as challenging and isolating. Instead of a traditional writing process, Kayla found herself simply transcribing the conversations and dynamics that played out in her head, capturing the voices of Beau, Donna, and Patrice—the three best friends at the center of the show.

These characters became Kayla’s “imaginary friends,” a source of comfort and humor during difficult times. Their stories reflect the confusion, excitement, and emotional growth of twenty-somethings trying to figure life out while leaning on each other.

Meet Beau, Donna, and Patrice

• Beau: Living in the fashion world as a model agent’s assistant, Beau is chic and cool. Her main dilemma revolves around whether to get serious with her white male “fuck buddy,” raising questions about race, relationships, and personal boundaries.

• Donna: Played by trans actress and influencer Anthony Boomba, Donna is on a journey of self-discovery and self-love. She grapples with what kind of love she wants and how to present herself authentically, highlighted by a pivotal incident with a photographer who prefers a less glamorous version of her.

• Patrice: The quiet, shy artist of the group, Patrice is exploring her sexuality and coming to terms with the possibility that she might be gay. Her crush on her boss and the ensuing self-reflection add depth and humor to the narrative.

Their interactions are “ill-advised” in the best way—full of misguided advice, missteps, and learning experiences that resonate with anyone who’s ever been young and figuring things out.

Influences and Inspirations in Tone and Style

While Ill-Advised is a fresh project, it draws inspiration from beloved shows that center friendship and self-exploration. Kayla cites The Bold Type as a modern influence, appreciating its tone and approach to young women’s lives.

She also points to iconic nineties shows like Living Single (starring Queen Latifah) and Girlfriends. These shows emphasized close-knit groups of women supporting each other through life’s ups and downs—a vibe Kayla is updating for today’s queer Black Gen Z audience.

Personal Experiences Shaping the Narrative

Kayla’s upbringing in Jonesboro, Georgia, near Atlanta—a hub for Black and queer culture—deeply informs the joyful and vibrant energy of Ill-Advised. Despite hardships, Kayla experienced environments filled with laughter, friendship, and resilience, which she channels into her storytelling.

Attending a predominantly white college in New York was a pivotal moment for Kayla, as she navigated cultural differences and found herself questioning where she fit in. Ill-Advised serves as a love letter to the people and experiences that shaped her, blending humor and heart as she explores identity and belonging.

What Sets Ill-Advised Apart?

Kayla is candid about not reinventing the wheel but rather inviting more people to see how the wheel works from her perspective. The show’s uniqueness lies in its predominantly Black and queer ensemble cast, a rarity in mainstream sitcoms.

She emphasizes how surprising it is that such representation hasn’t been more common, underscoring the ongoing need for shows like Ill-Advised. The desire for more inclusive storytelling is strong, and Kayla welcomes calls for increased diversity in media.

The Creative Team Behind Ill-Advised

One of the joys of indie filmmaking for Kayla is working with her friends, creating a supportive and passionate crew. Key team members include Kayla Nicholson, a fellow Georgian and creative producer; Akurella, an executive producer who ensures the project stays on track; the ethereal director Tyaela Nieves, who connects deeply with cast and crew; and Christina, the female director of photography whose visual work brings the show’s aesthetic to life.

Kayla stresses the importance of representation behind the camera, not just in front of it. Authenticity comes from having people involved who understand and live the culture being portrayed, avoiding the feeling of characters as “puppets” disconnected from their stories.

Supporting Ill-Advised: GoFundMe Campaign and Next Steps

Currently, Ill-Advised is in its crowdfunding phase on GoFundMe. The campaign page offers detailed information about the story, the cast, the crew, and the creative vision.

Once the funding goal is reached, the team plans to begin shooting the pilot. The budget focuses on fairly compensating cast and crew, securing locations, and covering editing costs. After production, the pilot will be submitted to film festivals to generate industry interest and build an engaged audience.

Kayla hopes that within two years, Ill-Advised could be on screens as a full series, a goal she approaches with optimism and determination. The positive reception from early listeners and supporters suggests a strong appetite for this kind of storytelling.

Dream Collaborations and Crossovers

When asked about dream collaborators, Kayla mentions comedian Michelle Buteau, whose Netflix show Survival of the Thickest she considers a “big sister” to Ill-Advised. She admires Michelle’s humor and hopes to work with her as a mentor in the future.

Tracee Ellis Ross is another dream collaborator, envisioned as a potential “aunt” character on the show. Kayla admires Tracee’s work on Girlfriends and her vibrant presence in media.

In a fun twist, Kayla also jokes about wanting Kelsey Grammer as a silent but supportive executive producer, referencing his unexpected role in producing Girlfriends.

Regarding crossovers, Kayla imagines a collaboration with Survival of the Thickest for a humorous “Spider-Man meme” style interaction, or even a wild crossover with Abbott Elementary, potentially involving a fashion fundraiser that connects the characters.

Final Thoughts and How to Get Involved

Kayla’s passion for Ill-Advised shines through as she discusses the project’s importance in amplifying queer Black voices and normalizing their stories. She invites audiences to support the pilot on GoFundMe and follow the project’s journey on Instagram.

For those in New York, there is an upcoming fundraising event at the queer-friendly co-op “Boyfriend” in Bushwick on May 31st, an opportunity to connect with the team and contribute to the show’s success.

Ultimately, Ill-Advised is more than a TV pilot—it’s a movement toward authentic representation, community, and joy in queer Black storytelling. As Kayla reminds us, “representation matters,” and with projects like this, the media landscape is slowly but surely becoming more inclusive and vibrant.

Stay Connected with Ill-Advised and Kayla Hopkins

• Support the crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe

• Follow Ill-Advised on Instagram: @illadvisedpilot

• Follow Kayla Hopkins on Instagram: @kaylahopkins

Let’s celebrate and uplift queer BIPOC stories like Ill-Advised. With your support, this show can reach screens everywhere, bringing laughter, love, and authentic representation to audiences hungry for more.