The cast of the films and writer-director Malcolm D. Lee will reunite for the project.
The cast and director of the Best Man movies is reuniting at Peacock.
The NBCUniversal streaming platform has ordered a 10-episode limited series titled The Best Man: Final Chapters that will continue the story from The Best Man and The Best Man Holiday. The principal cast of the two films — Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Harold Perrineau — are all set to reprise their roles. (Monica Calhoun also starred in the two films, but her character died in The Best Man Holiday.)
The movies’ writer-director, Malcolm D. Lee, is also on board and will write and executive produce the series with Dayna Lynne North (Insecure).
“We’re excited to reunite this beloved cast for a limited series run of The Best Man for Peacock,” said Susan Rovner, chairman of entertainment content at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “With a powerhouse duo like Malcolm and Dayna at the helm, fans will fall in love with our favorite group of friends all over again.”
Said Lee, “Here we go! The band is back together! I am very excited to bring these iconic characters back to the fans who have supported us through this franchise. We are thrilled to deliver everything one would expect from this group of friends in The Best Man universe and take them through their final chapters. We can’t wait! I told you it wouldn’t be 14 more years.”
The series will catch up with the eight main characters as their relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance.
The eight stars all signed sizable deals for the limited series. The series also signals Peacock leaning into existing NBCUniversal IP for its originals — a playbook also followed by streamers like Disney+, HBO Max and the soon to launch Paramount+.
Lee has turned out a string of successful movies for Universal Pictures, including Girls Trip and Night School. He signed a first-look deal with Universal Television in 2018.
“When Malcolm joined the UTV family, our first conversation was about our collective desire to bring his groundbreaking Universal feature franchise to television,” said Universal TV president Erin Underhill. “Three years and one pandemic later, we’re on the brink of doing just that. I’m thrilled for us all to see this goal come to fruition.”
In addition to Insecure, North’s writing credits include Veronica Mars, VH1’s Single Ladies and Freeform’s Switched at Birth. She’s also a longtime fan of the two movies: “The Best Man films were a cultural touchstone during my college days — and they’ve remained influential pop culture references to this day,” she said. “I’ve grown up laughing with these characters, copying their dance moves, and grieving at their losses. I am overjoyed to be partnering with Malcolm D. Lee and this amazing cast to adapt this iconic franchise at Peacock.”
Lee, North and Sean Daniel will executive produce the limited series. Sheila Walcott will oversee for Lee’s Blackmaled Productions.
Lee is repped by A3 Artists Agency and Del Shaw. North is repped by CAA and Narrative.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
