As we all know, September is when your favorite shows return with all new episodes. Some new shows also premiere around this time. Tonight, American audiences will have the opportunity to watch the first episode of Sunnyside, a new show on NBC, starring Kal Penn (House/ Designated Survivor).

The show portrays a disgraced council member, Garret Modi, of the fictitious district 57 in Sunnyside, a real neighborhood in Queens, NY. Upon removal from office, his next job is to help a group of immigrants apply for citizenship in the United States. That’s when he realizes the true meaning of public service.

Once more, the Rooftop Films, in association with the Museum of Moving Image, put together an event on the Tuesday (09/24) at the museum for a preview of the first episode followed by a Q&A session with Mr. Penn, one of the creators and the leading actor of the show.

The idea for the event is to show it first hand to the community it portrays. Queens is the most diverse place in the whole United States, which makes it more suitable to be the background of a show that honors the legacy of immigrants in America.

During the Q&A, Mr. Penn discussed some of the influences of the show (Fresh Prince of Bel-air, Head of the Class), as he put it, “things that make you feel good.” He also pointed out how we can experience more diversity in comedy, exemplified by Mindy Kaling (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Lilly Singh (A Little Late with Lilly Singh).

Sunnyside airs on Thursdays at 9:30 on NBC.