Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is the executive producer of a new locally-filmed political comedy series from entertainment mogul Tyler Perry that’s premiering next month.
“She The People” stars Terri J. Vaughn — best known for her role as Lovitia Jenkins on the ’90s sitcom “The Steve Harvey Show” — as a politician who wins a race for Mississippi lieutenant governor. But her character “must figure out how to thrive under a sexist and condescending governor, while attempting to keep her family in line now that they’re all in the public eye,” according to a series logline provided by Netflix.
Netflix released the trailer for “She the People” on Thursday. It’s Perry’s first comedy series on Netflix under his first-look deal with the streaming giant.
Vaughn took to Instagram to share her excitement shortly after the trailer’s release.
“Oh, the Joy I feel!!! I’ve been 10 toes down creating something that matters to us!” said the “All of Us” and “Meet the Browns” actress. “I LOVE my super incredible, talented, loving cast … I can’t wait for y’all to see what we’ve done!”
In front of the camera, returning Perry staples Tré Boyd (“House of Payne”) and “Family Matters” veteran JoMarie Payton (“Meet the Browns”) will star in supporting roles alongside newcomers Jade Novah (“That’s My Jam”), Drew Olivia Tillman (“This Is Us”) and Dyon Brooks (“A Naughty Christmess Story”).
Behind the camera, Perry is the creator, writer, director and producer, with Niya Palmer as co-creator and executive producer of the series. Aside from her role as lead actress, Vaughn is also executive producer alongside Bottoms and Palmer. Angi Bones and Tony L. Strickland are listed as producers.
Bottoms was the 60th mayor of Atlanta and the second Black woman to hold the position. She served one term from 2018-2022, then left Atlanta to serve as director of the Office of Public Engagement and a senior advisor to President Joe Biden, a role she held until 2023. Before becoming mayor, Bottoms was on the Atlanta City Council from 2010-2018.
“She The People” is Bottoms’ first official TV or film credit outside of appearing as herself or being thanked by producers, according to IMDB.
“I am SO happy to serve as Executive Producer of this incredible project, filmed in GEORGIA!!!” wrote Bottoms in a Thursday Instagram post. “Words cannot begin to express my gratitude. Won’t HE do it?!!
The series was filmed at Tyler Perry Studios and throughout metro Atlanta. The first eight episodes will premiere on May 22, with the remaining episodes scheduled to drop on August 14.
The project comes right on the heels of two of Perry’s most successful Netflix projects thus far, the Academy Award-nominated historical film “The Six Triple Eight” and the drama series “Beauty in Black,” which was recently renewed for a second season.
Perry’s current deal with Netflix is “first-look,” a contract that allows a company or distributor to have the first opportunity to greenlight an unwritten project from a producer or writer. The deals are typically not exclusive, allowing talent to shop to other studios if the project is turned down.
Other upcoming Perry projects for the streaming giant include “Madea’s Destination Wedding,” the latest in the popular “Madea” franchise, and “Straw,” a drama film starring Taraji P. Henson.
WABE’s Patrick Saunders contributed to this report.
