Ramy Youssef Taps Amanda Seyfried for Directorial Debut 'Martha & Muhammad' Alongside Sharon Stone

Ramy Youssef's inaugural feature film as a director is solidifying its cast, with Amanda Seyfried set to join him and Sharon Stone. The Egyptian-American comedian is also slated to write and star in the A24 comedy. Seyfried's involvement was initially reported by Deadline. This project reunites Youssef with several long-time collaborators, including Christopher Storer, the creator of 'The Bear,' and filmmaker Josh Safdie, known for 'Uncut Gems' and 'Miserable.' Youssef has previously showcased his directing talents on his own series, 'Ramy,' and 'The Bear.' His transition into feature filmmaking follows years dedicated to exploring themes of faith, family, and the complexities of Muslim-American life, subjects that are also expected to be central to the new film's narrative.

What is 'Martha & Muhammad' about?

The comedy is centered around a white, widowed New York socialite who forms a relationship with a younger Muslim man, as detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, which first announced the project in August. The narrative is anticipated to delve into issues of class, religion, immigration, and the age difference between the couple. A24 has not yet officially commented on these plot details, and a comprehensive synopsis is still pending release.

Who is in the cast?

Amanda Seyfried is the latest addition to the cast of Youssef's directorial debut, marking their first collaboration. Youssef and Stone were the initial stars attached to the project. Specifics regarding Seyfried's character have not yet been disclosed. Sharon Stone is widely recognized for her roles in films such as 'Basic Instinct' and 'Casino,' while Seyfried's recent credits include the thriller 'The Crowded Room' and the titular role in the musical 'Thelma.' Casting notices have also indicated the emergence of supporting characters. Backstage reported this month that the production was seeking actors for the roles of Mamadou, a Muslim immigrant and close confidant of Muhammad, and Amina, Mamadou's cousin and an immigration lawyer. Casting for these roles has not yet been confirmed.

What has Ramy Youssef directed before?

Youssef's directorial work behind the camera includes several episodes of his series 'Ramy,' where he portrays a young Egyptian-American navigating his religious identity, relationships, and familial expectations. He also directed 'Honeydew,' the Copenhagen-set episode from the second season of 'The Bear,' which earned him an Emmy directing nomination in 2024. That particular episode focused on pastry chef Marcus, played by Lionel Boyce, as he traveled to Denmark to hone his skills while concurrently dealing with concerns about his seriously ill mother back in Chicago. In a 2024 interview with The National, Boyce recounted discussions with Youssef while exploring Copenhagen, which helped shape the episode's narrative, balancing the joy of discovery with the underlying anxiety of potential bad news from home. "Ramy was really thoughtful about crafting that. He’s such a team player, always there to support us all," Boyce remarked.

Youssef has also cited the influence of director Yorgos Lanthimos, with whom he worked as an actor. In a 2024 GQ interview, Youssef mentioned that Lanthimos encouraged his pursuit of filmmaking and expressed his long-standing desire to immerse himself in single, self-contained narratives.

Who is producing the film?

A24 is financing the project, with Youssef producing through his company, Cairo Cowboy. The producing team also includes Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, and Josh Safdie, who are involved through Central, alongside Christopher Storer and Tyson Bidner, who are producing through American Light & Fixture. This film continues Youssef's established relationship with A24, a studio with which he has previously collaborated on 'Ramy' and his stand-up specials. Cairo Cowboy and A24 also partnered on '#1 Happy Family USA,' an animated series co-created by Youssef and Pam Brady, which explores the experiences of a Muslim-American family in the aftermath of September 11.

When will 'Martha & Muhammad' be released?

A24 has not yet announced a release date for the film. Casting notices reported by Backstage indicate that the production is seeking supporting actors for work in New York City between November 23 and January 20. These dates likely represent the anticipated period for the advertised roles rather than a confirmed schedule for the entire production.