Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) recently hosted a small group of media for an exclusive first look at its new mega-church drama series “GREENLEAF”. The private luncheon took place at the Roxy Hotel in New York City and Team RCS was in the building!
Executive producers Oprah Winfrey, Craig Wright (“Lost,” “Six Feet Under”) and Jamaican-born executive producer Clement Virgo (“The Book of Negroes”) were on hand to share insight on the show during the post-screening Q&A along with cast members Keith David, Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge, Lamman Rucker, Kim Hawthorne, Tye White and writer/story editor Erica Anderson.
“GREENLEAF” centers on the journey of estranged daughter and disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge, “The Night Shift”) who has returned home after 20 years on the occasion of the mysterious death of her sister, Faith. As she reenters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis megachurch run by her powerful parents Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David, “Enlisted” and “Community”) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Lynn Whitfield, “The Josephine Baker Story”), it becomes evident that things are not as virtuous as they seem and that the family’s outward display of faith hides sin and misdeeds.
“Greenleaf” is Oprah Winfrey’s first recurring scripted television role in two decades, Although Oprah’s character “Mavis McCready” is not one of the main characters, she is engaging each time she is on-screen. I fell in love with Merle Dandridge and her portrayal of the prodigal daughter Grace Greenleaf. Her character is well-developed. Lamman Rucker , “Jacob Greenleaf”, is always a pleasure to behold! The first episode is explosive and will have you hooked. In this first season, there is drama, corporate malfeasance, sex, infidelity all with a mega-church as its backdrop … need I say more?
“GREENLEAF” premieres two-nights: Tuesday, June 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and Wednesday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN. The series will regularly air on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT for the remainder of its 13-episode first season. “Greenleaf” is produced for OWN by Lionsgate Television.
Check out the extended trailer for “GREENLEAF” here: https://youtu.be/RAezT88migU
RCS SIDEBAR: As journalists, we try not to “fan out” however I have to admit I was UBER excited and my cup runneth over in the moment I got to ask Oprah Winfrey a question!! I was nervous and literally shaking in my boots but Oprah was so down-to-earth that as she and the cast responded, I became more relaxed and in the moment. Its OPRAH (in Oprah Winfrey voice of course)!!!
