Jurnee Smollett To Star In Tyler Perry’s Marriage Counselor

Jurnee Smollett Chosen For Tyler Perry’s ‘Marriage Counselor.’
by Wilson Morales

October 21, 2011

Actress Jurnee Smollett has been picked to be the lead star of Tyler Perry‘s next film, ‘The Marriage Counselor.’

Variety stated that in the film, which is based on Perry’s 10th play, Smollett will play Judith, a newlywed marriage counselor who gives great relationship advice but finds it difficult to address issues in her own marriage.

Perry and partners Ozzie Areu and Paul Hall are producing the pic, which starts production next week in Atlanta.

Over the past six years, Perry’s 11 films for Lions-gate have grossed nearly $600 million at the North American box office, and his DVDs have sold more than 40 million units. He’s expected to deliver at least two more “Madea” movies under the first-look pact he extended in March.

Smollett recently starred on NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” and CBS’ “The Defenders.” The New York City native also received the NAACP’s best actress award for her performance in Denzel Washington‘s “The Great Debaters.”