Jessica Williams Leaving Daily Show, Working On New Comedy Central Series

Jessica Williams is leaving The Daily Show after four years to start her own show on Comedy Central.

Jessica Williams Exits Daily Show

Williams, who was the youngest person ever tapped to be a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, announced her decision to say goodbye to the show after four seasons earlier this week.

“I feel so many emotions. I feel like I’m growing up and graduating,” Williams told Entertainment Weekly.

As for her new project, it will be a half-hour scripted series, and Williams is already hard at work on the pilot. The untitled comedy series will follow “a politically-minded young woman who may be ‘woke’ but doesn’t know what she’s doing. It’s a show about someone in their 20s who has all these social ideas but still, like, does not have it together,” according to Williams, who adds of the protagonist, “She’s goofy and silly and funny!”

Trevor Noah, who took over the reigns of The Daily Show from Jon Stewart, admits that its tough to see Williams depart the show, but also says that he’s exited to see her new project.

“The sadness I have for Jessica leaving is only eclipsed by the joy I have for her starting her new show,” he said. “If her podcast is anything to go by, it’s going to be an exciting show!”

Comedy Central president Kent Alterman believes that the most important thing about having a talent like Williams is keeping her on the network. Giving her an opportunity with her own series seemed like a no-brainer.

“We see her as a great voice – she’s so dynamic and so funny,” Alterman told EW. “And she’s kind of grown up there at The Daily Show. Rather than say goodbye to her for her to go somewhere else, we want to make sure that we’re developing with her so that when she’s ready for her next platform, it can actually be with us.”