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.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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