Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Fox event series “Shots Fired” has added DeWanda Wise to its cast, joining star Sanaa Lathan in a project that examines the dangerous aftermath of racially charged shootings in a small town in Tennessee.
Debuting later this year from 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television, Lathan leads as an expert investigator who digs into the cases, alongside a special prosecutor sent to the town by the Department of Justice. The pair must navigate the media attention, public debate and the social unrest that comes with such volatile cases, as they seek justice before the divided town erupts.
Wise has been cast as Shameeka Campbell, a resident of one of the small town’s worst neighborhoods, whose son was killed by the police, and is initially concerned about sharing her story with the investigators for fear of being harassed by the local cops.
The series is written and executive-produced by Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood. Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo also will serve as executive producers. Gina Prince-Bythewood will direct.
“Gina and Reggie have crafted a profoundly moving portrayal of a timely and sensitive issue that pervades our culture at this very moment,” said David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “This is not only an important story to tell, but also an explosive mystery-thriller, and we couldn’t be in better hands both with the creative team behind this, along with the very talented Sanaa Lathan leading the cast.”
Ms. Wise co-stars in Tahir Jetter’s 2016 Sundance selection, “How to Tell You’re a Douchebag,” which continues its film festival travels.
Good to see some fresher faces get these kinds of higher profile TV opportunities for a change.
As an aside… Fox is going to be the *blackest* non-black TV network, next season, with, in addition to this new series, a revamped “24” reboot with Corey Hawkins and Anna Diop starring, as well as likely returning series in “Empire,” and “Rosewood,” as well as a potential new series from Lee Daniels’ set in the cutthroat world of the Atlanta music scene, with 3 women leads; also there’s a new Nicole Byer toplined late-night sketch comedy series; a “Lethal Weapon” TV series starring Damon Wayans, Sr; Jada Pinkett Smith is returning to ‘Gotham’ (reports of her character’s death were greatly exaggerated) likely to help give that show’s ratings a boost; and more. And pilot season is only just getting into full swing…
Source: Shadow & Act
