blackfilm.com correspondent Koku Tona sat down with creator, executive producer, and co-showrunner Malcolm D. Lee to talk ‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’. Lee recalls his desire to see himself represented on screen, shifting the film landscape, and more.
Malcolm D. Lee talks ‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’ premieres on Peacock December 22nd, 2022.
Check out the interview and let us know what you think!
Malcolm D. Lee talks ‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’ (VIDEO)
Peacock’s highly anticipated limited dramedy series THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS, based upon the eponymous Universal film franchise, the series will catch up with the beloved cast, Morris Chestnut (Lance Sullivan), Melissa De Sousa (Shelby Taylor), Taye Diggs (Harper Stewart), Regina Hall (Candace Murchison), Terrence Howard (Quentin Spivey), Sanaa Lathan (Robyn Stewart), Nia Long (Jordan Armstrong) and Harold Perrineau (Julian Murchison) as relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance.
Created, written and executive produced by Malcolm D. Lee & Dayna Lynne North (Insecure) features a stellar cast of recurring guest stars including Nicole Ari Parker, Ron Canada, Brandon Victor Dixon, Michael Genet, Yvonna Pearson, Aaron Serotsky, Terrence Terrell, Tobias Truvillion and Eric Scott Ways.
THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS will premiere on Thursday, December 22. #TheBestMan #TheBestManFinalChapters #Peacock
‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’
NOTE FROM MALCOM D. LEE – CREATOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/CO-SHOWRUNNER:
“When I wrote The Best Man, it was out of a desire to see myself on screen. Growing up I rarely saw Black people — Black men in particular – the way my friends and I saw ourselves: educated, upwardly mobile African-Americans who were just “normal” (Barack and Michelle before Barack and Michelle).
Fans of the franchise have consistently asked me (and the stellar cast) when are we going to tell them what’s happened with this group of friends? And what better way to do that than to give them what they want (and more) in a limited series. Given the moment that we are in, this is the perfect time to revisit Harper, Lance, Murch, Quentin, Jordan, Robyn, Candace and Shelby and go on the wild, emotional, hilarious ride with them, as they deal with their own journeys through parenting, activism, old love, new love and the complexities of being Black in 21st Century America.
It is now more than ever that the world is craving to see what I’ve worked my entire career to show: relatable, universal stories about black people and their humanity. It has always been my mission to make African-American stories mainstream. It is my life’s work to tell stories that include and elevate us. And I HOPE my legacy will be that I represented for us.”
NOTE FROM DAYNA LYNNE NORTH – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/CO-SHOWRUNNER:
“My USC Crew and I were totally convinced that Malcolm made The Best Man for US. We watched — and related — as the Best Man crew navigated love, owning their mistakes, and took the leap of truly committing to someone. One of the many things that attracted me to adapting this franchise for television with Malcom is that the themes and arcs of the characters reflect my life. My college clique and I have all been going through our own mid-life metamorphoses. Priorities have shifted, friendships have gone through growing pains. That’s why, when we pitched the series, I suggested we use the phrase midlife metamorphosis.
This limited series will expand on the themes established in The Best Man franchise – love, friendship, faith, forgiveness, and personal growth – all filtered through a beautifully Black lens. Much like it was on my previous series Insecure, friendship as foundation is also a core theme. That’s why I thought: Making Harper’s controversial book, UNFINISHED BUSINESS into a movie would be such a fun idea! And indeed it was! The adaptation of UNFINISHED BUSINESS organically connects the entire crew, and infuses delicious fun and tension, as we see the fallout and unintended consequences of Harper’s decision. It was also important to me to,not only broaden the series POV to include more of the women characters’ perspective, but to also tackle issues of gender and identity. I’m proud to play a part in moving these stories and characters forward.
Anyone who has lived a bit knows… Life is not a spectator sport. Sometimes we choose to grow… Sometimes we’re forced to. The question is — how will these longtime parents, friends and lovers adjust to their reinvented selves? I am thrilled and proud to join Malcolm for the last leg of this journey, and to be part of adapting this beautiful, powerful franchise for television.”
ABOUT THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS:
Based upon the eponymous Universal film franchise written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee (four episodes), the series will catch up with the beloved cast as relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance.
ABOUT THE SERIES:
Premiere Date: December 22, 2022
Cast: Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Harold Perrineau
Creator of the Best Man Franchise, Co-Developed By, Writer, Executive Produce, Director, Co-Showrunner: Malcolm D. Lee of Blackmaled Productions
Co-Developed By, Writer, Executive Producer, Co-Showrunner: Dayna Lynne North of Loud Sis Productions
Executive Producer: Sean Daniel of Hivemind & Dominique Telson of Blackmaled Productions
Produced By: Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group
Directors: Malcolm D. Lee (four episodes), Charles Stone III, Robert Townsend and Stacey Muhammad
Format: Limited Drama Series, 8 episodes x 60 minutes
Filming Locations: New York City, Kearny, NJ and Dominican Republic
Related Links: https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2022/02/peacock-celebrates-bel-air-premiere-with-will-smith-bel-air-cast-and-guests-see-photos/
Loading…