Hard-hitting dramas a part of Black-oriented fall TV and movie lineup
NEW YORK — Family, celebrity lives, and fighting crime are three major themes of fall 2024’s new movies and TV... The post Hard-hitting dramas a part of Black-oriented fall TV and movie lineup first appeared on NABJ Black News & Views.
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NEW YORK — Family, celebrity lives, and fighting crime are three major themes of fall 2024’s new movies and TV shows that focus on Black people’s experiences.
Dramatic films such as “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” “Never Let Go,” and “The Piano Lesson” explore issues about complicated family issues, while the comedy series “Poppa’s House” features Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. portraying a father and a son who live together. BET+ and Lifetime are also offering several holiday-oriented movies about Black families.
Luther Vandross, Usher, Megan Thee Stallion, LeBron James, Pharrell Williams, and Tia Mowry are among the celebrities who star in documentaries. Crime and justice are explored in movies such as the reform school drama “Nickel Boys” and the World War II history-based drama “Six Triple Eight,” as well as the TV drama series “Cross” and “The Madness.”
Speaking during a June 2024 Q&A at the Tribeca Festival in New York City, “The Six Triple Eight” star/executive producer Kerry Washington said times are changing when it comes to the state of movies and TV shows about Black people.
“There’s a new opening about these narratives that we’re telling, where for some of us, we see these stories, and we see ourselves,” Washington said. “There’s this gift of belonging in the legacy and recognizing myself and possibility because those people look like me.”
Movies
In this Lifetime drama directed by Robert Adetuyi and written by W. Stewart, executive producer BeBe Winans stars as record store owner/retired musician Lincoln King, a widowed father of three estranged sisters: Lydia (played by Lisa Berry), Gracie (played by Faith Wright), and Abigail (played by Bethany Brown). Lincoln and family friend Genelle (played by Deborah Joy Winans) come up with a plan to reunite the three sisters for Christmas, for the first time since the death of the sisters’ mother. Premiering on Nov. 30.
In this BET+ drama, a new bride cancels her tropical Christmas honeymoon after a freak accident. With help from a holiday angel, she then finds herself taking care of her husband’s ex-wife and kids. Jennifer Freeman, Anthony Dalton, Dream Doll, and Victoria Rowell star in the movie, which was written and directed by Tamala Baldwin. Premiering on Dec. 25.
“Brewster’s Millions” Christmas”
Spoiled heiress Monica Brewster (played by China Anne McClain) is given a Christmas challenge to inherit the fortune of her uncle Monty Brewster’s grandfather. She learns some life lessons along the way in this BET+ comedy that was inspired by the 1985 Richard Pryor movie “Brewster’s Millions.” Rounding out the principal cast are Romeo Miller, Sierra McClain, Rain Pryor, Richard Pryor Jr., Tequan Richmond, Rico Simonini, Bennie Taylor, Joseph Nasser, and Telma Hopkins. Directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones, who co-wrote the movie’s screenplay with Nasser. Premiering on Dec. 5.
“A Christmas Miracle”
In this BET+ drama, a family joins forces to save the Christmas Jubilee at the local community center, which is at risk of losing its funding. Directed by Christopher A. Nolen and written by Cassandra Mann, “A Christmas Miracle” has a cast that includes Noree Victoria, Blue Kimble, Victoria Rowell, Nadia Simms, Aaron D. Spears, Marc Jones, Javon Johnson, Cayen Martin, and Tiffany M. Snow. Premiering on Nov. 7.
Taking place in November 2021, this documentary (directed by Mati Diop) shows how 26 royal treasures from the African kingdom of Dahomey were transported from Paris and returned to their country of origin: the present-day republic of Benin, after the artifacts were stolen centuries ago by colonizers. “Dahomey,” released by MUBI in the U.S., won the Golden Bear (top prize) for Best Film at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival, and has been selected as Senegal’s official entry for Best International Feature Film for the 2025 Academy Awards. Released in theaters on Oct. 18.
In this BET+ drama, two single parents (played by Tristan Wilds and Candace Maxwell) accidentally swap phones and their children’s backpacks. The parents find romance in the chaos that ensues. Other cast members include Finn Maloney, Ava Marie Threat, Gerard Catus, Palmer Williams Jr., Ashley Forrestier, and Perri L. Camper. “The Day Before Christmas” was written by Trell Woodberry, who is an executive producer of “The Day Before Christmas” and has a role as an actor in the movie. Premiering on Nov. 28.
This First Run Features documentary is directed by Jesse Rudoy and chronicles the journey of cousins Gazi “Dusty” Simelane and Linda “Stones” Msibi, a duo of struggling country singers from the African kingdom of Swaziland. The cousins go on a road trip to the U.S. South and travel to Nashville in a quest to get a break in the music industry. Released in theaters on Oct. 11.
In this BET+ drama directed by Damián Romay, a social media influencer takes things too far in her rivalry with another influencer. The cast members include Reyna Love, Nadia Adelay, Tami Roman, and Blue Kimble. Karin Hardin, Tressa Azarel Smallwood, and Nakia Stephens wrote the screenplay. Premiered on Oct. 3.
Written and directed by Titus Kaphar and inspired by his own life, this drama from Roadside Attractions is about a New Jersey painter/artist coming to terms with his father’s past crack addiction and physical abuse. André Holland, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Andra Day, and John Earl Jelks are among the stars of the movie. Released in theaters on Oct. 18.
The story of Olympic champion boxer Claressa Shields (played by Ryan Destiny) is told in this Amazon MGM Studios biopic directed by Rachel Morrison and written by Barry Jenkins. Also starring in the movie are Brian Tyree Henry, Jazmin Headley, De’Adre Aziza, and Chrystian Buddington. Releasing in theaters on Dec. 25.
In this Bleecker Street drama written and directed by Mike Leigh, two British sisters with opposite personalities—pessimistic Pansy (played by Marianne Jean-Baptiste) and optimistic Chantelle (played by Michele Austin)—cope with family problems. Releasing in theaters on Dec. 6.
This Giant Pictures/CNN Films documentary is directed by Dawn Porter and follows the life story of R&B star Luther Vandross, who died in 2005 at age 54. Releasing in theaters on Nov. 1.
Vivica A. Fox continues her reign as one of the queens of Lifetime by starring in this drama directed by David DeCoteau and written by Dana Verde. In “Make or Bake Christmas,” Fox has the role of Leslie, an ambitious lifestyle entrepreneur who wants to buy a bakery called Sugar Bakers, owned by Denise Sugarbaker (played Jackée Harry) and operated by Denise’s son, David (played by Landon Moss), who don’t want to sell the business. Leslie orders her employee Emma (played by Jasmine Aivaliotis) to go undercover as a seasonal employee at Sugar Bakers to convince Denise and David to change their minds. Leslie and David end up falling for each other. Premiering on Dec. 1.
“Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words”
In this documentary directed by Nneka Onuorah, superstar hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion gets candid about her life. Premiering on Prime Video on Oct. 31.
This horror movie directed by Brandon Espy (who co-wrote the screenplay with Carl Reid) is about a single mother named Summer (played by Jerrika Hinton), who finds an old VHS tape of a children’s show hosted by Mr. Crocket (played by Elvis Nolasco) that she wants her unruly son Major (played by Aiden Gavin) to watch, but the show turns out to be sinister. Premiered on Oct. 11.
Directed by Alexandre Aja, this psychological thriller/horror movie from Lionsgate is about a mother (played by Halle Berry) who has taught her twin sons—Nolan (played by Percy Daggs IV) and Samuel (played by Anthony B. Jenkins)—to tie themselves to her by a rope every time they go outside, or else an evil spirit will attack them. KC Coughlin and Ryan Grassby co-wrote the movie’s screenplay. Released in theaters on Sept. 20.
Written and directed by RaMell Ross, this Orion Pictures drama (based on Colson Whitehead’s 2019 novel “The Nickel Boys”) follows the story of two Black teens—Elwood Curtis (played by Ethan Herisse) and Jack Turner (played by Brandon Wilson)—who are sent to a Florida reform school and try to escape and report the abuse happening at the school. Daveed Diggs and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor co-star as, respectively, the adult Elwood and Elwood’s grandmother. Releasing in theaters on Dec. 13.
This drama based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play,is about a feuding family in 1930s Pittsburgh. Boy Willie Charles (played by John David Washington) wants to sell the family’s prized heirloom piano, but his sister, Berniece Charles (played by Danielle Deadwyler), strongly disagrees. Their uncle, Doaker (played by Samuel L. Jackson, tries to remain neutral. Also in the cast are Corey Hawkins, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Skylar Aleece Smith. “The Piano Lesson” is a family production for Denzel Washington, one of the film’s producers: John David Washington and “The Piano Lesson” director/co-writer Malcolm Washington are two of Denzel’s sons. In theaters on Nov. 8. Premiering on Netflix on Nov. 22.
This unusual documentary about Pharrell Williams is presented as Lego animation is directed by Morgan Neville and released by Focus Features. Among those interviewed in the movie are Williams, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, N.O.R.E., Teddy Riley, and Busta Rhymes. Released in theaters on Oct. 11.
Frenemies and neighbors Doris (played by Hannah Whitley) and Julia (played by Vanessa Bell Calloway) compete for the title of annual Queen of Christmas in this BET+ drama. The principal cast is rounded out by Essence Atkins, Hannah Whitley, Tyler Whitley, Aasha Davis, Gary Budoff, Bear Jackson, Isaiah Romain, and Carl Gilliard. Directed by Kenny Young, who co-wrote the movie’s screenplay with Chad Quinn. Premiering on Dec. 19.
This Netflix drama written and directed by Tyler Perry follows the true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only Army Corps unit of Black women to serve overseas in World War II. Kerry Washington has the starring role of Major Charity Adams, the commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. The cast also includes Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Jeanté Godlock, and Oprah Winfrey. Premiering on Dec. 20.
Raven Goodwin and Mario star in this BET+ romantic drama about a financially struggling fashion boutique owner and a playboy celebrity who meet when she is hired to style him. Directed by LazRael Lison; written by Julene Fluermond and Lynette J. Blackwell. Premiering on November 14.
In this BET+ drama/comedy, newlyweds Jerome (played by Denzel Whitaker) and Kayla (played by Porscha Coleman) have never spent Christmas without their respective families, so the spouses decide to attend two separate family gatherings for Christmas. Other cast members are Jackie Harry, Michael Colyar, Valarie Pettiford, Adele Givens, DeShawn Bowens, and Juhahn Jones. Directed by Kenny Young and written by Clarence Williams IV. Premiering on Dec. 12.
Usher performs his greatest hits in this Trafalgar Releasing concert documentary, directed by Anthony Mandler and featuring highlights from Usher’s autumn 2023 stint at La Seine Musicale in Paris. Released in theaters on Sept. 12.
“A Wesley South African Christmas”
BET+’s Wesley Christmas TV specials continue with this drama, which has Todd Wesley (played by Terayle Hill) stuck in Durban, South Africa, because of a stalled business deal. His family in America comes to the rescue to celebrate the Christmas holiday in South Africa. The cast members include Dorien Wilson, Jasmine Guy, Terrence “TC” Carson, Jesse Suntele, Ayanda Banda-Ngubane, Kiki Haynes, Rolonda Rochelle, Judi Johnson, Novi Brown, and Bheki Mkhwane. Directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones; written by Bree West and Chazitear. Premiering on Nov. 21.
Tia Mowry stars in and is an executive producer of this Lifetime drama, where she has the role of Sienna, owner of the Divine Beauty Salon. Sienna is being honored for her charity work at Atlanta’s annual Tinsel Ball. A charismatic CEO named Lawrence (played by RonReaco Lee), whose family’s wine brand is co-sponsoring the event, develops a mutual attraction to Sienna. Sienna’s mother Georgia, (played by Donna Biscoe), who heads Tinsel Ball’s committee, disapproves because she thinks this blossoming romance could ruin the event’s traditions. “A Very Merry Beauty Salon” was directed by Bobby Yan and written by Tara Knight. Premiering on Dec. 7.
TV Series
This Netflix drama series from writer/director Tyler Perry is about two women leading different lives and whose paths collide. Kimmie (played by Taylor Polidore Williams) is financially struggling while Mallory (played by Crystle Stewart) runs a successful business. Other “Beauty in Black” cast members include Amber Reign, Ricco Ross, Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Steven G. Norfleet, Julian Horton, and Terrell Carter. Premiering on Oct. 24.
The classic “Black Beauty” franchise (about a teen equestrian who rehabilitates a race horse) gets a reboot in this Prime Video 11-episode limited drama series from showrunner Pilar Golden. Kaya Coleman has the starring role as Jolie Dumont. Other “Beyond Black Beauty” cast members include Gina James, Sagine Sémajuste, and Lisa Berry. Premiered on Oct. 15.
This 10-episode limited docuseries from Vice TV takes a deep-dive look at Black people’s impact in comedy. Tiffany Haddish, Chris Spencer, and Ryan Davis host the series, which features a rare reunion interview with the Original Kings of Comedy: Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D.L. Hughley. Among the other celebrities interviewed for the series are Marla Gibbs, Tracy Morgan, Craig Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Coco Jones, Luenell, Rachel Lindsay, Taye Diggs, W. Kamau Bell, and B. Simone. Premiered on Oct. 15.
Aldis Hodge steps into the role of detective/forensic psychologist Alex Cross, a character previously played by Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry in movies. Prime Video’s “Cross” series (from showrunner/writer Ben Watkins) is based on characters created by author James Patterson. Co-stars include Isaiah Mustafa, Juanita Jennings, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, and Melody Hurd. Premiering on Nov. 14.
“Evolution of the Black Quarterback”
Former NFL player Michael Vick hosts this Prime Video documentary series, which features interviews with American football quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Cam Newton, Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson, Donovan McNabb, James “Shack” Harris, Warren Moon, and Doug Williams, as well as commentary from Jamie Foxx, Common, Deion Sanders, and Larry Wilmore. Michael Strahan is one of the executive producers of the series. Premiered on Sept. 24.
Colman Domingo stars in this eight-episode Netflix limited drama series as political consultant-turned-TV pundit/novelist Muncie Daniels, who witnesses the murder of a white supremacist in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Muncie is then wrongfully accused of the murder. VJ Boyd is the co-showrunner for “The Madness,” whose principal cast includes Gabrielle Graham, Marsha Stephanie Blake, and Thaddeus J. Mixon. Premiering on Nov. 28.
In this CBS family comedy series, legendary talk radio host Poppa (played by Damon Wayans) lives with his son Junior (played by Damon Wayans Jr.), Junior’s wife Nina (played by Tetona Jackson), and Poppa’s granddaughter Maya (played by River Blossom). Poppa faces challenges at his job when he finds himself in a power struggle with new co-host Dr. Ivy Reed (played by Essence Atkins). Damon Wayans (one of the writers of “Poppa’s House”) and Damon Wayans Jr. are among the show’s executive producers. Premiering on Oct. 21.
This 10-episode Netflix docuseries puts the spotlight on LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, Domantas Sabonis, and Jayson Tatum throughout the 2023-24 NBA season. Premiered on Oct. 9.
This seven-episode ESPN+ docuseries, hosted by NBA champion player Iman Shumpert, presents stories about athletes who made personal sacrifices for the greater good of their respective teams. Premiered on Oct. 16.
In this WE TV docuseries, actress Tia Mowry opens up about her life since her divorce from actor Cory Hardrict, who was her husband from 2008 to 2023. Mowry is one of the show’s executive producers. Premiered on Oct. 4.
The post Hard-hitting dramas a part of Black-oriented fall TV and movie lineup first appeared on NABJ Black News & Views.
