Cast: Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges)
Details: According to Deadline, Kelvin Harrison Jr. is currently in talks to play the classical French musical prodigy Joseph de Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges in an upcoming film from Searchlight Pictures. Born in 1745 in the French Caribbean, De Saint-Georges was the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner. He rose to improbable heights in French society, dazzling as both a violinist and composer, and a champion fencer. An ill-fated love affair with a French noblewoman, and a falling out with Marie Antoinette and her court led to his untimely downfall. Source: Deadline. Photo Source: factinate.com.
Details:Essence Atkins and Tisha Campbell are set as the two remaining leads opposite Sherri Shepherd, Tahj Mowry, Beth Grant and Isaiah Mustafa as series regulars in the pilot from writer/executive producer Regina Hicks and executive producers Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and Larry Wilmore.
Story: Black Don’t Crack follows three former sorority sisters, played by Shepherd, Atkins and Campbell, who lost touch after college and reunite during a pivotal point in their lives. They realize sometimes it’s okay to crack and when you do, no one will be there for you like your friends.
Shepherd plays Angela Wright: A native New Yorker somewhere between 45 and death, but it’s hard to tell because “black don’t crack.” She’s a single mom who put aside her musical dreams to raise her son after her husband died. She’s been holding it down alone for years, taking care of her family instead of herself. When she is confronted with a personal crisis, she reunites with her sorority sisters to recapture the passion, ambition and sisterhood of their college glory days.
Atkins stars as Nia Hillis Davis: A bougie, conservative politician’s wife who has lost touch with her more fun-loving college self. Though she may have many cracks in her perfect facade that she goes to great pains to cover up. While she may be perceived as uptight and snobbish, she’s ultimately a lovable neurotic who is our voice of positivity, even if a lot of the times, she’s not sure what’s going on.
Campbell is playing Tasha Marks: A hip and fabulous Atlanta restaurateur who starts trends instead of following them. She holds nothing back and is brutally honest (sometimes to a fault) with her friends, but has been avoiding a truth in her own life. She’s achieved the perfect professional life and insists that she needs no man in her life to interfere with the career she’s worked so hard to create.
Mowry is Khalil Grant Angela’s (Shepard) 20 something son: He is a recent college grad who is full of big ideas and big dreams, but has yet to get any of his start-up companies off the ground. A bit of slow starter at life, he lives in his mother’s basement and still relies on her to do his laundry and front him rent money. He is fiercely protective of his family and is gradually growing into a responsible adult.
Grant is Nancy, Angela’s (Shepard) sharp-tongued mother-in-law: She adores her grandson but is tougher on her daughter-in-law – she can be abrasive, demanding, and unaware of her prejudices. While Nancy can be a thorn in Angela’s side, the truth is they need each other. At the end of the day, the things they share — the loss of a husband, their love for Khalil – keep them from killing each other.
Mustafa is Charles Daniels, co-owner with Tasha of a restaurant and bar in Atlanta: Charles is a former pro-football player who is handsome and oozes charm and swagger. He’s full of stories from back in his glory days and is comfortable being the center of attention. He could be perceived as cocky, but he’s ultimately the kind of dependable, good guy you want in your corner. Sources: msn.com, thesource.com. Photo source: thesource.com.
Status:Announced Genre:Drama Director:Sylvain White (first episode) Studio(s):Amblin Television Cast:TBA
Details:Easy Rawlins is getting his own TV series. Amblin Television is teaming with author Walter Mosley to bring the beloved character from his best-selling gritty detective book series to the screen. A network/streaming service is not yet attached.
Mosley has authored more than 60 books, including 15 novels and a collection of shorts featuring the Rawlins character. Ezekiel ‘Easy’ Rawlins, previously brought to life by Denzel Washington in the 1995 feature Devil in a Blue Dress, is a Black World War II Army veteran turned hard-boiled private eye. The series will be set in 1950s Los Angeles and will honor the detective genre, while also exploring the racial inequalities and social injustice experienced by Black people and other people of color. Sources: Deadline.
Status: Optioned Genre:Drama Director:Ramin Bahrani Studio(s):Apple Studios Cast:Samuel L. Jackson (Ptolemy Grey), Danielle Fishback (Robyn).
Details:Apple TV has landed a six-episode limited series, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, that will star Oscar nominee, Samuel L. Jackson in his first lead TV role. The series is based on a novel by Walter Mosley, who will also write the script. Jackson and Mosley will also serve as executive producers.
Story: The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey centers on a 91-year-old man (Jackson) who is forgotten by his family, his friends and even himself as he suffers from dementia. But when he’s able to briefly regain his memories, he uses those fleeting moments of lucidity to find the truth behind his nephew’s death and come to terms with his past. Danielle Fishback will play a character named Robyn, described as a friend of the family who helps Ptolemy. Source(s): Deadline; Slashfilm. Photo Source: lavanguardia.com.
Cast: Jackie Long (Kevin James), Denise Boutte (Jasmine Washington), Christian Keyes (Robert Washington), Master P (Boss Man), Ella Joyce (Mrs. Donna), Vanessa Simmons (Sonya), Bebe Drake (Ms. Addis).
Story:Kevin and Jasmine who, as two teenagers with equal passion for each other’s dreams – his love for football and hers for music – fall head over heels in love with each other but tragedy and one horrible lapse in judgment tears them apart. Many years later Kevin and Jasmine have to trust one another after their paths cross again. Is their first love strong enough for them to save each other now? Source(s): Amazon Prime.
Release Date: 9/26/21 – Series Premiere; Starz Genre: Drama/Biography Rating:NR Directors:Tasha Smith, Solvan Naim Studio(s):G Unit, Lionsgate Television, Starz! Cast:Russell Hornsby as Charles Flenory; Steve Harris as Detective Bryant; Demetrius Flenory, Jr. as Demetrius Flenory; Da’Vinchi as Terry Flenory; Michole Briana White as Lucille; Ajiona Alexus as Kato; Eric Kofi-Abrefa as Lamar; Myles Truitt as B-Mickie; Kash Doll as Monique; Wood Harris as Pat; Snoop Dogg as Pastor Swift; La La Anthony as Markaisha Taylor; Serayah as Lori Walker; Markice Moore as Filmel; Eminem as White Boy Rick.
Story: Black Mafia Family is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980’s to give birth to one of the most influential crime families in the country. Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory’s charismatic leadership, Terry “Southwest T” Flenory’s business acumen and the fraternal partnership’s vision beyond the drug trade and into the world of Hip Hop would render the brothers iconic on a global level.
In addition to launching a cocaine empire infamously known as the Black Mafia Family, the Flenory brothers also entered the music industry as a way to curry favor, create a legitimate business and launder money. The financial foray further helped the Black Mafia Family become one of the most famous, flashy and mythicized crime organizations in America. The Flenorys promoted hip-hop artists such as Fabolous and Young Jeezy as a part of their music business. But that level of prestige for the Black Mafia Family happened in the early 2000s. The series will break down their origin story growing up on Detroit’s rugged Southwest side as their oversized ambitions and dreams took them to unthinkable but nefarious heights. The drama also unpacks how the once incredibly close and loving brothers eventually became estranged.
Details: Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory, Jr., the son of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory will make his acting debut starring as his father and Da’Vinchi will portray Demetrius’ brother Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, Jr. From executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and writer/executive producer and Detroit native Randy Huggins. Additionally, Tasha Smith will direct the first episode and multiple others. Black Mafia Family is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television in association with Starz and Lionsgate Television.
Cast:Flenory Jr.’s “Big Meech” is a charming and ambitious Detroit legend-in-the-making, who becomes the face of the operation. Hungry for his slice of the American dream, Meech quickly advances from a corner boy to a mid-level man, who knows when to use the carrot or the stick as he and his brother set out to become the Kings of Detroit.
Da’ Vinchi’s Terry “Southwest T” Flenory is the quiet and calculating brains behind the scene. Terry is torn between two competing identities: being a new father and becoming the first male in their family to graduate high school, or tight-roping as a serendipitous dealer who must protect his brother from himself as well as secure their safety.
Wood Harris will play Pat, the revered O.G. who gives Meech and Terry their first shot in the game. He instills a family first attitude that the Flenorys adopt until they begin to outshine their mentor and pursue their own independence.
Russell Hornsby is cast as Charles Flenory and Steve Harris as Detective Bryant. Entertainer Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight, will recur as Monique.
Michole Briana White will play Lucille, the strong-willed, dignified mother of Demetrius and Terry Flenory. Lucille is a devout Christian who does everything she can to protect her marriage on one hand, and her sons on the other, while navigating the toughest storm of their life.
Ajiona Alexus will portray Kato, the fierce and ambitious corner girl in Meech and Terry’s crew. Kato is a brilliant and troubled young woman, and the Flenory brothers are the first to treat her like family. She wants to prove her trust and do right by them, but she has a secret that could get everyone killed.
Eric Kofi-Abrefa is Lamar. A cross between a serial killer and a court jester, Lamar is an erratic street legend whose unbelievable stories of conquest are part of hood lore. Lamar returns to Southwest Detroit to reclaim his turf and his lady. But Demetrius Flenory is occupying both, forcing a battle between old school and new.
Myles Truitt will play B-Mickie, the third OG in Meech and Terry’s drug crew. A laid-back, philosophizing stoner who marches to the beat of his own drum, B-Mickie is getting tired of taking orders from the Flenorys, especially when he knows he could do better.
The iconic Snoop Dogg will play “Pastor Swift,” the Flenory family’s spiritual advisor. He’s a man of The Word, with the aura of an ex-con. The Pastor believes in the power of the Lord, and does his best to keep Meech and Terry in good graces. But Pastor Swift eventually ingratiates himself into every part of the Flenory’s life, including helping find a lawyer, and becoming a confidante. Meech and Terry’s father resents all the attention the Pastor showers over the Flenory’s family, but no one can deny all the good the Pastor does for them.
La La Anthony will play “Markaisha Taylor,” the wife of a flamboyant drug dealer that Meech and Terry befriend. She sees something in Terry, a seriousness and a sense of purpose she feels she can harness to make herself rich and powerful. She develops a friendship with him and his confidant and eventually, his lover, putting everything Terry has built out on the streets at stake.
Serayah will play Demetrius Flenory’s girlfriend, “Lori Walker,” who is also the mother of his child “Neeka.” Walker is a smart, driven, yet naive college athlete who once fell for Meech’s bad boy charm. Walker is more mature and clear-eyed now. Her world centers more around her daughter, and she expects less out of Meech, which makes him want her more.
Eminem will costar as White Boy Rick Sources: Deadline; Yahoo Entertainment; IMDB.
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