Netflix has announced its “Strong Black Summer” slate that includes must-watch films and series from rom-com, thriller and comedy with storytelling that covers the spectrum of the Black experience.
“The Perfect Find” (June 23rd) – featuring Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers, Gina Torres and La La Anthony.
“Survival of the Thickest” (July 13th) – featuring Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Anissa Felix and Garcelle Beauvais.
“They Cloned Tyrone” (July 21st) – featuring Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, David Alan Grier, J. Alphonse Nicholson.
“The Upshaws” (Part 4) (August 17th) – featuring Kim Fields, Mike Epps, and Wanda Sykes.
To celebrate the Black excellence featured in these titles, Netflix will be present at some of this summer’s biggest moments that celebrate Black culture.
Also premiering at the American Black Film Festival in Miami and Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
Check Out The “Strong Black Summer” Teaser!
In “The Perfect Find,” after a messy public breakup and a high-profile firing, Jenna (Gabrielle Union) returns to New York to resurrect her fashion career.
Knowing she’ll only get one chance to rebuild her reputation, Jenna swallows her pride and goes to work for cutthroat mogul Darcy (Gina Torres).
But her comeback attempt gets complicated when she falls for her charming, much younger coworker Eric (Keith Powers) — who just so happens to be Darcy’s son.
After putting everything on the line for her career, Jenna must decide if she’ll risk it all on a secret romance, and find out if she can have a future with Eric despite their generational divide.
Also starring Aisha Hinds, DB Woodside, Janet Hubert and Alani “La La” Anthony.
(Survival of the Thickest. (L to R) Tone Bell as Khalil, Liza Treyger as Jade and Michelle Buteau as Mavis – Photos: Vanessa Clifton)
From Michelle Buteau, comes “Survival of the Thickest,” launching on Netflix July 13th.
The new comedy series “Survival of the Thickest” centers on Mavis Beaumont (Michelle Buteau). Black, plus-size and newly single (not by her choice!), Mavis unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life as a struggling stylist.
She’s determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss.
The scripted comedy is based on Buteau’s acclaimed book of essays.
Series Regulars are Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Christine Horn and Tasha Smith.
Guest Stars include; Annisa Felix, Allan K. Washington, Ambre Anderson, Anna George, Anthony Michael Lopez, Becca Blackwell, Christine Jones, Garcelle Beauvais, Hugh Moore, J. Riley Jr., Mark McKinnon, and Marouane Zotti.
“They Cloned Tyrone” – A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio (Boyega, Foxx and Parris) onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper.
Directed by Juel Taylor and written by Tony Rettenmaier and Juel Taylor.
Cast includes; John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, David Alan Grier, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tamberla Perry, Eric Robinson Jr. with Kiefer Sutherland and Jamie Foxx.
“The Upshaws” Part 4 drops August 17th.
Bennie Upshaw (Mike Epps), the head of a Black working-class family in Indianapolis, is a charming, well-intentioned mechanic and lifelong mess just trying his best to step up and care for his family — wife Regina (Kim Fields), their two young daughters (Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine) and firstborn son (Jermelle Simon), the teenage son (Diamond Lyons) he fathered with another woman (Gabrielle Dennis) — and tolerate his sardonic sister-in-law (Wanda Sykes), all without a blueprint for success.
But the Upshaws are determined to make it work, and make it to the next level, together. In this upcoming part, the Upshaws continue to ride life’s ups and downs, including new jobs, bigger dreams, health struggles and some major life surprises but still hanging on with the love that comes with family.
Cast includes; Kim Fields, Mike Epps, and Wanda Sykes.
