Tyler Perry’s newest show, The Oval, received straight-to-series order at BET, a cable network owned by Viacom. The Oval is the first show to come from Perry’s multi-year partnership with Viacom. The deal was made in 2017, but did not become effective until May 2019, after Perry completed his former deal with OWN. The Viacom deal runs through 2024. The deal includes films, television shows, and short form video projects. Perry is expected to produce ninety episodes of original dramas and comedies annually for BET and other Viacom platforms (including the forthcoming BET+ streaming service). Over the course of the year, it is expected that Perry will produce approximately seventy-five hours of original content for Viacom.
The Oval is about the new first family moving into the White House. The family appears perfect, but appearances can be deceitful. The show is expected to tackle cheating, lying, and corruption. Ed Quinn (One Day at Time) will play the newly elected president, Hunter Franklin. Kron Moore will be Victoria Franklin, the first lady. Paige Hurd and Daniel Croix Henderson will play Hunter and Victoria’s children. Hurd is portraying the spoiled and rebellious first daughter, Gayle Franklin. The first son, played by Henderson, is Jason Franklin, a troubled young man.
Perry says, “I’ve been hard at work on The Oval and can’t wait to share this story with audiences. I’ve set out to create a show that tells the story of a family placed in the White House by people of power while also highlighting the personal side and everyday lives of the staff who run the inner workings of the nation’s most iconic residence.”
The Oval will be written, directed, and executive produced by Tyler Perry. Michelle Sneed will also serve as an executive producer on the series. The Oval will begin filming in the summer at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.