Amber Ruffin is hitting the road in a new comedy. The Late Night with Seth Meyers writer and Have I Got News For You panelist will produce and star in the indie film Mother Trucker.
The film follows Christie, a “timid 30-something” on the hunt for her birth mother, with Ruffin as Ally, her “free-spirited best friend.” When Christie learns Mom drives a big rig, the two set off on a road trip fueled by chaos and hijinks.
The film is written by Sarah Ann Masse, who also co-stars, from an idea by Christina Carano. Night Fox Entertainment, Zonino Productions, and Carano are producing alongside Straight To Cards, the banner launched by Ruffin and fellow Late Night writer Jenny Hagel.
“This story made me laugh my butt off and then cry it back on,” Ruffin told Deadline. “And that’s a testament to Sarah Ann Masse. It feels like a story about people you know and love. I’m thrilled that Night Fox sees what I see! I can’t wait to act a fool all over this mug.”
Ruffin has been a cornerstone of Late Night with Seth Meyers since its launch in 2014, both in the writers’ room and on screen in recurring bits like “Amber Says What?” and “Jokes Seth Can’t Tell.” Her breakout success led to her own late-night series for Peacock, The Amber Ruffin Show, which ran from 2020 to 2022. She’s remained a fixture on TV, serving as a regular panelist on CNN’s Have I Got News For You.
Behind the scenes, Ruffin has built a formidable stage résumé. She co-wrote the most recent Broadway production of Some Like It Hot as well as the revival of The Wiz. She’s also writing and directing Bigfoot! The Musical, which held workshop productions last year.
“I don’t set goals,” Ruffin told LateNighter last year. “As long as I can do exactly what I feel like doing—and that’s kind of where I am now—then I’m just gonna do that.”
