Master of None to return as a lesbian love story starring Lena Waithe – and not Aziz Ansari

Master of None season three will be a lesbian love story focusing on Lena Waithe’s character, as Aziz Ansari steps behind the camera.

Lena Waithe has been a regular co-writer for Master of None since the show premiered in 2015, and had a breakout role in the second season.

Now, she will be front and centre as season three focuses on her character Denise’s marriage to Alicia (Naomi Ackie).

Grab a bottle of wine and have some tissues ready, because it sounds like the new episodes will hit you right in the feels.

Netflix teased: “This new season is a modern love story that intimately illustrates the ups and downs of marriage, struggles with fertility and personal growth both together and apart.

“Fleeting romantic highs meet crushing personal losses while existential questions of love and living are raised.”

Aziz Ansari will direct all of Master of None season three, but has stepped back from appearing on-camera following allegations of sexual misconduct. He has also co-written the season with Waithe.

The first season focused on the story of Dev (Ansari) and his attempts to balance his romantic and professional life. Series two had a sexual harassment storyline centring around the character of TV chef Jeff (Bobby Carnavale).

The second season preceded real-life sexual misconduct allegations against Ansari in 2018. An anonymous woman claims he took advantage of her after a date, ignoring her verbal and non-verbal cues.

The comedian denied the accusations in a statement claiming the “engag[ed] in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual”.

He addressed the allegations during a 2019 stand-up tour and his Netflix special Right Now. He did not apologise to his accuser, but he said he felt “terrible that this person felt this way”, according to Vulture.

Master of None season three will premiere on Netflix on 23 May.

• Nov 29 2023

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