Brandy lands new BET series ‘Zoe Ever After’
Brandy Norwood will follow up her co-starring role in BET’s The Game with a series in which she is both star and executive producer. Zoe Ever After features Brandy as Zoe Moon, a newly single mom stepping out of the shadow of her famous boxer ex-husband Gemini Moon while trying to balance dating, motherhood, a complicated relationship with her ex and finally fulfilling her career dream of starting a cosmetics line. “Southland” alum Dorian Missick has been cast as Gemini, Jaylon Gordon plays her 8-year-old son Xavier; Tory Devon Smith is Valenté, her fashion-forward and fun assistant; Haneefah Wood plays Pearl, her publicist and best friend; and Ignacio Serricchio is sexy contractor Miguel. Production is underway in Atlanta for a premiere in January. Zoe Ever After comes from executive producers Debra Martin Chase, Danny Rose, Scooter Braun, executive producer/writer Erica Montolfo-Bura and co-executive producers Norwood and Elaine Aronson, reports Deadline.com.
Will Smith plays Forensic Neuropathologist in thriller ‘Concussion’
Sci-fi actor Will Smith returns to the screen with thriller Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu’s emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world. “When I met with Dr. Bennet Omalu, I was hoping to God he would say something so that I didn’t have to make this movie,” Smith revealed during an intimate New York screening of Concussion. I was like, ‘Please just give me something . . . so I don’t have to make this movie,” he said on initially passing on the role. Concussion stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin and Albert Brooks, and will premiere on Christmas Day.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell stars in Highly Anticipated WGN Thriller ‘Underground’
Actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell has made the transition from child actor on Full House and in Eve’s Bayou to leading actress in The Great Debaters and in True Blood. She continues to soar in Hollywood with new series Underground airing on WGN America. Smollett-Bell plays Rosalee, a shy house slave with a powerful inner strength and courage. “In WGN America’s “Underground,” bravery, ingenuity and power take center stage as slaves band together in the fight of their lives for their families, their future…and their freedom. Hailing from Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios, “Underground” is currently in production on a straight-to-series order in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a 2016 premiere on WGN America,” reports eurweb.com. Aldis Hodge who played MC Ren in Straight Outta Compton, plays Noah, a brave, driven and insanely clever field slave. Christopher Meloni, Jessica de Gouw, Alano Miller, Adina Porter, Amirah Vann, Marc Blucas, Mykelti Williamson , Reed Diamond and Johnny Ray Gill star in alongside Smollett-Bell a d Hodge. Underground is created and written by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, who serve as Executive Producers alongside Academy Award®-winning writer Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind,” “I Am Legend”) of Weed Road Pictures, and Tory Tunnell (“King Arthur,” “Holy Rollers”) and Joby Harold (“King Arthur,” “Edge of Tomorrow”) of Safehouse Pictures. Anthony Hemingway (“The Wire,” “Treme”) directs and serves as Executive Producer for the first four episodes.
Romany Malco Joins Gabrielle Union in A Meyers Christmas
The Think Like A Man actor Romany Malco has signed on to join Gabrielle Union, Danny Glover, Mo’Nique and Jessie T. Usher in the holiday film, A Meyers Christmas, notes The Hollywood Reporter. From Universal and Will Packer Productions, the story centers around an estranged family that is forced to come together for their first Christmas since the death of the family matriarch. The ensemble cast also includes Kimberly Elise, Nicole Ari Parker and Omar Epps. “Baggage Claim” writer-director David E. Talbert, who wrote the script, will direct the film, due for release on November 11, 2016. Malco is currently starring on Amazon’s new series Mad Dogs, which will debut in 2016. His previous credits include feature films “40 Year-Old Virgin,” “Think Like A Man” and “Think Like A Man Too” and TV series “Weeds” and “Blunt Talk,” reports eurweb.com.
