Academy Award®-winning actress, Halle Berry, and Emmy® Award-winning screenwriter/producer, Lena Waithe, have signed on as executive producers for the “Boomerang” series.
Produced by BET Networks and Paramount Television, the 10-episode half-hour series will premiere in 2019 on BET. Ben Cory Jones is attached as showrunner and will executive produce the series along with Rishi Rajani from Hillman Grad Productions, Berry and Waithe. Waithe and Jones co-wrote the pilot episode and Dime Davis will direct the pilot episode as well as additional episodes including the finale.
Based on the 1992 American romantic comedy film, this new series will follow the lives of Jacqueline Boyer’s son and Marcus and Angela Graham’s daughter as they try to step out of their parents’ shadows and make a legacy of their own.
“I’m thrilled to team up with Lena on this project as she is without a doubt a leading voice of her generation and a trail blazer in her own right. I’m truly excited to be a part of bringing this iconic and beloved film to the small screen,” said Berry.
“This is less of a reboot and more of a continuation of the original story,” said Waithe. “There’s no point in trying to remake a classic. It can’t be done. So we want to create something fresh that speaks to a new generation. We hope people will come to the show with an open mind and ready to embrace the new world we’ve created!”
“Partnering an icon such as Halle with a disruptor like Lena is a perfect blend for the creation of a project that tells a classic tale in a relevant voice,” said Scott Mills, President, BET Networks. “This partnership demonstrates BET’s commitment to the continued elevation of the brand, collective creativity and authentic storytelling.”
Halle Berry has garnered praise not only for her numerous leading roles, but for her work with a range of influential organizations. For her brilliant performance in Monster’s Ball, Berry won an Academy Award for “Best Actress,” as well as a SAG Award, the Berlin Silver Bear Award and was named “Best Actress” by the National Board of Review. Berry was also nominated for a Golden Globe for “Best Actress” for her role in Frankie and Alice and previously earned an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG and NAACP Image Awards for her extraordinary performance in HBO’s telefilm, INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE, which she also produced. Berry joined the prestigious list of actresses starring in the James Bond franchise with her role of “Jinx” in Die Another Day opposite Pierce Bronson, which also marked Bond’s 40th anniversary and is one of the top five grossing Bond movies of all time.
She will next be seen in Lionsgate’s John Wick: Chapter 3 as an assassin named “Sofia” opposite Keanu Reeves and Anjelica Huston. The movie is set for release May 17, 2019. It was also recently announced that Berry is set to make her feature directorial debut with Bruised in which she will also star. The plot will follow a disgraced MMA fighter who must fight a rising MMA star while becoming the mother her child deserves. The movie will begin production in March of next year. Berry recently starred in 20th Century Fox’s Kingsman: The Golden Circle starring alongside Taron Egerton, Channing Tatum, Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Mark Strong and Jeff Bridges.
Berry is also an active supporter and chair member of the Jenesse Center in Los Angeles. The Jenesse Center was founded in 1980 and assists victims of domestic violence and aims to change the pattern of abuse in the lives of women and children. Berry’s other charitable efforts include the Diabetes Aware Campaign and the Make-A-Wish Foundation among others.
