Variety says Fox’s “Family Guy” spin-off “The Cleveland Show” has found a way to balance out the racial makeup of its leads.
Mike Henry, who has voiced the character of African-American character Cleveland since “Family Guy’s” bow in 1999, is white.
Now, actor Kevin Richardson (The Cleaner) has been brought on to supply the voice of Lester, a white “redneck” who lives next door. Richardson is African-American.
Also joining the cast are Sanaa Lathan (Love & Basketball), who will play Donna, Cleveland’s new love interest. Donna is a single mom with two kids, one of whom will be voiced by Nia Long (Soul Food). Long will play Roberta, a rebellious teen.
“Cleveland” revolves around Peter Griffin’s pal Cleveland Brown, who decides to take his son and move to Stoolbend, Va., where he moves in with his high school sweetheart and encounters a new cast of characters.
Henry is also executive producer, along with Seth MacFarlane and Rich Appel.
