A new drama series has been ordered at Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Deadline reports Janine Sherman Barrois’ (Claws, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame C.J. Walker) The Kings of Napa is the latest original series set for the cable platform. Set to begin production later this year, the show will see director Matthew A. Cherry (Hair Love, The Last Fall) helm the first two episodes.
According to Deadline, Sherman Barrois’ will serve as showrunner with Michelle Listenbee Brown (Teach Me Tonight, The Dates from Hell) and Winfrey (The Color Purple, Greenleaf) as executive producers. The series comes as part of Sherman Barrois’ overall deal with Warner Bros. Television that will produce the series in conjunction with Harpo Films. Cherry also has first-look deal with the production company.
“We’ve been captivated for years by Janine’s incredible body of work and welcome her into OWN’s family of dynamic drama storytellers,” OWN President Tina Perry said via Deadline. “Janine’s created compelling characters that hook viewers right from the start, and we can’t wait for her to dive in with this bold and sexy new series,” Perry said via Deadline.
According to Deadline, Kings of Napa follows an affluent African American family, the Kings, who own an opulent vineyard and wine business. Their life of luxury is derailed when the patriarch departs his position as leader of the company. The vacancy elicits inner-fighting among the family’s three siblings as they all vie for control.
“I’m beyond thrilled to collaborate with OWN on this groundbreaking show, and to have Academy Award winner Matthew A. Cherry’s brilliant vision bringing it to life is a dream come true,” said Sherman Barrois via Deadline.
According to Deadline, The Kings of Napa is slated for an early 2022 premiere. It joins a great company of prestige dramas on the network. OWN is currently airing the fifth season of Ava DuVernay’s (Naomi, New Gods) Queen Sugar and renewed her romantic series, Cherish the Day, for a second season. OWN is also the current home for Greenleaf creator, Craig Wright (Dirty Sexy Money, Six Feet Under). Along with a pending spinoff to his megachurch drama, Wright’s new legal drama, Delilah, premiered on March 9. Later this year, viewers will receive the eighth and final season of Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots and the second season of the critically-acclaimed David Makes Man, from Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight, Choir Boy).