Bryshere Y. Gray of "Empire" is among the stars of BET's drama about influential boy band New Edition.
BET said Wednesday that Gray will play band member Michael Bivins in the three-part "New Edition: The Movie."
He will be joined by Elijah Kelley ("The Butler") as Ricky Bell; singer-songwriter Luke James as Johnny Gill; Algee Smith ("Let It Shine") as Ralph Tresvant; Keith Powers ("Straight Outta Compton") as Ronnie Devoe, and Woody McClain ("Autographs") as Bobby Brown.
The actors who will play the singers as youngsters include Dante Hoagland; Caleb McLaughlin; Jahi Winston; Myles Truitt and Tyler Williams.
Principal photography will start next month in Los Angeles, with the miniseries scheduled to debut on BET in 2017. The executive producer is Jesse Collins, with Chris Robinson directing the drama that BET said will follow the group from middle school through the ups and downs of fame.
New Edition was formed in 1978 and produced hits including "Candy Girl" and "Cool It Now." The group helped pave the way for the boy-band wave of the 1980s and '90s that included Boyz II Men, New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More