Production is underway for the pilot of Roy Wood Jr.'s new comedy “Jefferson County: Probation" and location scouting and casting has begun.

Based on the Birmingham native’s early life, the pilot stars Wood as a probation officer “willing to bend the rules to help the clients he monitors much to the chagrin of his partner and everyone else in his life.” The pilot is written by Wood and Aaron McGruder, creator of “The Boondocks” and “Black Jesus.” Executive producers are the “Daily Show’s” Trevor Noah and Mainstay Entertainment’s Norman Aladjem and Derek Van Pelt. The pilot will be directed by Millicent Shelton, whose credits include “Black-ish,” “The Walking Dead” and “Insecure.”

In April, Comedy Central officially announced that the production of the pilot would start this month. Location scouts were seen in Birmingham’s Southside earlier this week.

The pilot is also casting for extras, principals, and day players. Mobile-based Goleman Casting posted a call-out for extras on its Facebook page yesterday. Shooting dates will be from May 20 to May 24.

Birmingham-based Real People Models and Talent is also helping local actors audition for the pilot.

“We’re excited to be working on this project. We’ve known Roy for (more than) 20 years and we’re really proud of him,” Jay Brackin, owner of Real People, told AL.com over the phone. Brackin says one of the best parts of being involved in this project is having the opportunity to put together a roster of local actors with the goal of booking as much in-state talent as possible. Booking in-state talent --specifically Birmingham actors-- says Brackin, can bring more actors to the set, increasing opportunities for the TV/film community in the area. In turn, a successful pilot could green-light a TV series, which would bring even more jobs and film and TV tax-incentives to the state. Brackin invites local talent to submit materials to Real People’s site.

Another local business working to find talent for the pilot is Acting Out Performing Arts Academy in Vestavia Hills. Academy founder and owner Meg Deusner told. AL.com that Wood reached out to her help find actors to read for roles.

“He’s been really good about trying to connect local talent," said Deusner.

Securing local actors is an essential part of the production process for Roy Wood Jr.

During an April press conference at Birmingham City Hall, Wood said he hoped filming the pilot in Alabama will encourage others to consider Alabama when looking for filming locations and grow the budding film and TV industry in the state.

“The moment there’s someone else that comes here that did it and a had good production, others will feel comfortable coming here. I want, at the end of the day, for people to consider Birmingham the same as they would consider Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Vancouver,” Wood said.

Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) will be training show crew members through its Entertainment Media and Production Crew Training program (EMPACT). Wood said ensuring there were capable crew members and resources in Alabama was the biggest challenge to getting the pilot filmed in Alabama.

Wood has been vocal about being an ambassador to his home state and he may have more chances in the future to bring work back to Alabama if this pilot moves to the next stage of production. In April, Comedy Central also announced a comprehensive development deal with Wood, including a one-hour stand-up comedy special and an original digital series.

Watch Roy Wood’s press conference at Birmingham City Hall below:

Related: Roy Wood. Jr talks to Al.com about his hopes for “Jefferson County: Probation."