Tag: Tyler Perry

  • EXCLUSIVE: Character Descriptions Hint at ‘Tyler Perry’s Sistas’ Zatima Spinoff’s Story

    EXCLUSIVE: Character Descriptions Hint at ‘Tyler Perry’s Sistas’ Zatima Spinoff’s Story

    We just recently broke the news that Tyler Perry is already working on a spinoff of his popular BET series Sistas. It’ll focus on the fan-favorite couple of Fatima and Zac, who are given the couple nickname Zatima. DeVale Ellis and Crystal Hayslett‘s characters got together in the third season’s midseason finale, which became a fan-favorite moment and most likely inspired the series’ creator to give them their series. Well, we’re not quite done as we can also exclusively offer some insight into the characters that’ll join the duo.

    The series is currently casting for a December production start. The character of Angela, who is described as “Fatima’s best female friend.” Coincidentally, she is dating one of Zac’s best friends, Jake. Once she meets him, she’ll realize that she “heard all about the shady corners of Zac’s life.” So, Fatima and Zac’s relationship might face some bumps early on, as they decide to move together. There’s also the character of Belinda, who used to date him and is another close friend of Fatima’s.

    We’ll also meet some of Zac’s basketball friends, such as Nathan, who is “married to Carolyn, who treats him like a dog on a short leash.” There is also Tony, who generally “has an extremely negative view of marriage.” There’s also another recurring role given to a character named Deja, who’ll rent Zac’s duplex. Yet, her interest in her new neighbor might end up leading to some trouble down the line.

    These characters offer some insight into what we might expect from the spinoffs story. It looks like the whirlwind romance between Fatima and Zac will remain turbulent, especially with Angela’s knowledge of Zac’s looming over them. So, we might have to expect some conflict in the upcoming series that challenges their love but also explores the relationships forming around them.

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘Tyler Perry’s Sistas’ Zatima Spinoff Ordered to Series

    EXCLUSIVE: ‘Tyler Perry’s Sistas’ Zatima Spinoff Ordered to Series

    We have a treat for fans of Tyler Perry’s Sistas. There was a lot of pull for DeVale Ellis‘ Zac and Crystal Hayslett‘s Fatima to get together and it wasn’t until the third season’s midseason finale that Zac confessed and “Zatima” was born. Their popularity made them fan-favorites and it looks like Tyler Perry wants to explore their relationship a bit more, as we can exclusively share that a series focused on the two is currently in development.

    Perry will return as director and writer for the series that is currently eyeing a production start in December. It’s perfect timing as Sistas recently got renewed for a fourth season by BET. The new series is currently going to run for ten episodes with BET+ and Tyler Perry Studios involved with the production. Perry has worked on quite a few TV series including House of Payne, Young Dylan, The Oval, and many more. Sistas started in 2019, the same year as The Oval.

    It’s great to see how much momentum the show has built over the years. While DeVale Ellis has been playing Zac since the series began, Crystal Hayslett‘s Fatima Wilson only had a recurring role during the first season before joining as a regular in its second. Perry has worked on quite a few TV series including House of Payne, Young Dylan, The Oval, and many more. Sistas started in 2019, the same year as The Oval which was quite a busy year for the producer, actor, and director.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Tyler Perry’s Next Film Revealed

    EXCLUSIVE: Tyler Perry’s Next Film Revealed

    Tyler Perry has compiled quite the filmography behind him: he is well-known for directing and starring in the Madea films but in looking at the rest of his work both as an actor and director one sees a lot of diversity. Perry appeared in supporting roles in a variety of dramas like Vice and Gone Girl, and he was cast as the lead in Alex Cross. He has, also, directed quite a few romantic-comedies: 2018’s Nobody’s Fool was his first R-rated comedy, the premise being a story about someone being catfished. When reviewing his extensive work, you can definitely see a director that is no stranger to infusing his projects with a variety of political and cultural aspects and influences.

    Back in 2016, he discussed the possibility of exploring a Madea film that tackles the topic of police brutality:

    “I have been able to use this character to bring messages to people who no one has been able to get a message to… She can talk about anything. She can make them laugh. And it’s so disarming — it’s like anesthesia… If I could find a way to talk about police brutality, and all of these people being shot by police officers, through this character — and I’ve been thinking about it — I think it would speak volumes to what so many people can’t say.”

    Four years later, the topic of police brutality is still as relevant as it was in that interview. Perry has been extremely vocal about the events that have transpired across the US and he has openly spoken about the protests that have taken place in Atlanta in the aftermath of another innocent Black person gunned down by police. With that in mind, it looks like the Black Lives Matter movement will be a big inspiration for his upcoming project as a casting grid has revealed various details that may focus on a story that will discuss the Black Live Matter protests and, of course, police violence.

    The film will take place in Atlanta where one of the leads is a pastor in the Sweet Auburn area of the city which is being rocked by violent protests following the questionable use of force by a white police officer on a gay, Black man celebrating his college graduation.

    In contrast to the 2016 interview, Perry’s next project does not appear to feature Madea. We have five different leads, all with their own individual stories that will seemingly connect. The leads are connected to an overarching mystery, which could lend itself to every character having a dark secret.

    The previously-mentioned pastor tries to secure the church from what is described as a “potentially violent protest.” Going by what is pictured, we most likely have a story of police brutality that gets national attention and causes a protest that puts various members of the family on opposite sides given their own history. The film will definitely feature a BLM protest which will may ultimately find the leads locking themselves in the church where they are confronted with each other to sort out the secrets they’ve been keeping for long. This is all just speculation, as we will see which direction Perry will take.

    Production on the film is set to kick off early next month in Atlanta.