BET Renews ‘Boomerang’ & ‘American Soul’ For Seasons 2
BET Networks has announced second season pick-ups for both its half-hour subversive, smart, serialized comedy series “Boomerang,” and the critically-acclaimed period drama based on the untold rise of the iconic music and dance program “Soul Train: American Soul.” BET is investing in partnerships with leading Black content creators with unique creative voices to bring viewers elevated storytelling and premium programming.
Executive Produced by Emmy Award-winning actress, writer and creator Lena Waithe and Academy Award-winning actress, Halle Berry, “Boomerang,” is the #1 new cable scripted comedy for African Americans in the key 18-49 demo and AA2+*, and has been hailed as “emotionally searing” by The Hollywood Reporter. Produced by BET Networks and Paramount Television, the 10-episode series, picks up roughly twenty-five years after the iconic film, and centers on Simone Graham (daughter of Marcus Graham and Angela Lewis) and Bryson Broyer (son of Jaqueline Broyer), who are marketing professionals trying to step out of their parents’ shadows. “Boomerang” airs Tuesdays at 10 PM ET/PT on BET, with its season finale bowing Tuesday, April 9 at 10 PM ET/PT.
The penultimate episode penned by Waithe and Jenny Lee aired Tuesday, bringing a fresh take on a timely topic – #MeToo. “Us Too” explored what happens when notorious womanizer Marcus Graham (Eddie Murphy’s seminal character) is brought down by scandal. Over twenty years later, Marcus’ once charming hijinks land him in hot water and The Graham Agency is closed forever. The fallout is swift and his daughter and her squad are left to wonder what happens to “Us” after #MeToo? Exploring everyone from Bill Cosby to R. Kelly, “Us Too” is an honest and intimate look at all sides of the #MeToo movement from the black millennial perspective.
“Making Boomerang has been one of the highlights of my career and the positive feedback we’ve gotten from fans and critics has been so validating. I’m beyond excited to dive even deeper into these characters’ lives in season two,” said Executive Producer Waithe.
Produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, “American Soul,” is the #1 new cable scripted drama for African Americans 18-49 and AA2+*. The 10-episode series chronicles “the hippest trip in America” and what became of one of the most prominent and groundbreaking television shows for African-American culture. Hailed by Essence as “peak black excellence,” “American Soul” features a cast of multi-talented actors including Sinqua Walls (Power, The Breaks) who plays a young Don Cornelius. Series regulars also include Kelly Price (Grammy®-nominated singer), Jason Dirden (Greenleaf), Iantha Richardson (This Is Us), Christopher Jefferson, Katlyn Nichol and Jelani Winston. “American Soul” airs Tuesday at 9 PM ET/PT on BET.
“We are incredibly grateful to continue to tell the American Soul story. Season one was so well received by the culture and we feel that season two will be even more fun and exciting,” said Jesse Collins, Executive Producer, “American Soul.”
“BET Networks is invested in showcasing black excellence in our programming and we look forward to digging even deeper into the incredible legacy of Don Cornelius and Soul Train in season two.” said Connie Orlando, Head of Programming, BET Networks.
The season finale aired Tuesday, it featured guest appearances by Gabrielle Dennis (Whitney Houston, “The Bobby Brown Story”) as Tina Turner and McKinley Freeman (BET’s “Hit the Floor”) as Ike Turner.
