John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co and Nia Long are teaming with Sony Pictures TV to bring Goldie Taylor’s 2018 bestseller Paper Gods to ABC. The series, similar to the novel, will capture a saga of power, race, and political intrigue, centered around Victoria Dobbs Overstreet (played by Nia Long), the mayor of Atlanta. She teams up with a reporter to look into a series of murders, and ends up uncovering a political conspiracy.
“Victoria Dobbs is a beautifully flawed and complicated character,” Long said today of the timely series in a year of election and division. “I look forward to exploring her journey as a wife, mother and politician. Paper Gods highlights the profound impact Black women have on American politics and the world. Mike, John and Tash are my dream team!”
Tasha Gray will serve as the showrunner. She said in a statement, “Nia and I came together in remembrance of our friend, and my mentor, John Singleton. From that friendship blossomed an opportunity to tell a profound story that’s near to my heart,” which was the Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.
“This project has been a passion of ours for a long time and Nia’s commitment has never wavered,” Sony Pictures TV EVP Drama Development Lauren Stein said. “When Tash signed on, it completed this great team. We are so happy to be moving forward with it at ABC.”
“Both of us, girls from the hood, stand proud as strong Black women dedicated to telling the truth about our existence in a world that rarely champions or protects us. Yet, we continuously endeavor to save the world. I’m so happy and excited to work with amazing people to tell a layered story guaranteed to captivate audiences with Ms. Nia Long as our lead.”
Production on Paper Gods is expected to begin later this year.
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