Small Screen: ‘Black-ish’ Star Joins ‘Law & Order’ Revival; Peacock Releases ‘Bel-Air’ Teaser Trailer, Jacqueline Avant Murdered
Anthony Anderson - Leon Bennett
Broadcast: Black-ish star Anthony Anderson will reprise his role as Detective Kevin Bernard for the upcoming 21st season of NBC’s Law & Order. Although there are speculation other former stars of the long-running drama series will also appear, Anderson is the first to sign on. The role marks Anderson’s follow-up to ABC’s Black-ish, which returns Jan. 4 with its final season on ABC. Anderson was a series regular in the final three seasons of L&O when his character was a junior detective. Anderson will join the previously announced Jeffrey Donovan in the L&O revival, which was picked up with a straight-to-series order in September. The updated series is slated to premiere on Feb. 24 on NBC.
Mosunmola “Mo” Abudu
Cable: Mosunmola “Mo” Abudu the Nigerian Television pioneer and CEO of EbonyLife Media has just reached a development deal/partnership with BBC Studios Drama Productions to create a 6 part action-adventure series entitled, Reclaim. The heist thriller is based on an original idea by Abudu, Heidi Uys, and Bode Asiyanbi, will be penned by Brit Rowan Athale, the BAFTA breakthrough writer It follows “the story of a team of art thieves looking to return artworks stolen by the British Empire 125 years ago from the Kingdom of Benin back to its rightful home in Nigeria,” according to a plot description. “On his death bed, billionaire art collector, Chief Inneh, hands his life’s mission over to his daughter Idia Nicole Inneh: she must reclaim four looted ivory masks depicting Queen Idia, the first Queen Mother of the 16th century Benin Empire. The exquisite masks are on display in museums in Britain, Germany, and the United States and have to be returned to Nigeria to restore national pride. A woman of action with nothing to lose, Idia assembles a kick-ass team of talented but morally dubious individuals from around the globe, including world-class art thief Matthew Jones, art expert Xena Kanene, yahoo-boy (meaning email scammer) Hector Mawusi, and logistics genius Lindiwe Radebe.”
Streaming: Amazon Prime’s newest collaboration with Gloria Calderón Kellett released its first teaser trailer before it’s debut. Entitled With Love, ‘follows the Diaz siblings, Lily (Emeraude Toubia) and Jorge (Mark Indelicato), who are on a mission to find love and purpose. Lily recently split with her longtime love and is keeping the faith that a special kind of spark awaits her. Plus, she has the support of her Latino family who are determined to find her the perfect match.’ Costars include Rome Flynn, Desmond Chiam, Isis King, Todd Grinnell, Constance Marie, Benito Martinez, Andre Royo, Renée Victor, and Pepe Serna. Calderón Kellet has penned the entire season and is attached as executive producer. The pilot episode is directed and executive produced by Meera Menon and will premiere December 17th on Prime Video.
Peacock has just released a teaser trailer for their upcoming Prince of Bel-Air remake entitled Bel-Air. Inspired by a viral video that made the show more dramatic, Bel-Air is: “At its heart, a coming-of-age story that celebrates the strength and love of the Black family,” said co-showrunners T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson in a statement. “We have stayed true to the original premise of the legacy series — Will’s life is turned upside down after he is forced to leave West Philly and lands in Bel-Air with its gated mansions and wealth. However, our new series brings Will and the Banks family into the world as we know it now. It’s been incredible to bring these iconic characters to life when you tap them into the cultural pulse of our time. The series was the fabric of so many of our upbringings, tied to memories and the joy of seeing ourselves represented on TV, so it is important to us to pay respect to its legacy.”
Clarence and Jacqueline Avant - FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP
Industry: Netflix has announced that their 2020 pledge to relocate 2% of all its cash holdings (around $100 million) into Black-led banks/financial institutions have been fulfilled. The big-time streamer explained the thinking behind the move: ‘The idea is that better-capitalized institutions will mean more home and small-business loans and better opportunities for Black communities. The program was implemented in a rush of social justice commitments from companies amid the national reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd. Netflix’s 2% commitment is ongoing on an annual basis, meaning the investment grows over time. “So we will be topping up our commitment at the end of the year and moving more cash — over and above the $100 million already committed — into these institutions,” said Aaron Mitchell, Director, Human Resources, Netflix Animation Studios, and Shannon Alwyn, Netflix Treasurer, in a blog post-Wednesday.’
Jacqueline Avant, the 81-year-old wife of veteran music executive Clarence Avant, was shot and killed during a home invasion/robbery at the couple’s Beverly Hills-area house last night. Sentinel News Service released this statement regarding the tragic events: ‘Words cannot express the pain and devastation we felt this morning over the senseless murder of our beloved friend/family member Mrs. Jackie Avant. Her brutal murder is not only a loss to her entire family but is a terrible loss to everyone who met her. Her warm and kind personality was evident to everyone who came into contact with her, and her loving smile was a Blessing to us all. Clarence Avant her husband of 54 years while safe is currently grieving but resting with his family. Our prayers go out to Clarence, Nicole, and Alex as they try and navigate through what has to be the most difficult time in their lives.’ Chairman of Bakewell Media, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., had this to say: “I cannot express how overwhelmingly pained I am at the loss of such a beautiful person as Jackie Avant. For her to be killed in such a senseless way is unfathomable. There are no 2 more kind and generous people than Clarence and Jackie and for their home and their lives to be violated in such a violent manner is unconscionable. My thoughts and prayers go out to them and their children as we all work to get through this most difficult time.”
Communications Director for ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Fathima Beckmann has received a promotion to Vice President of Global from the Inclusion ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI). Her new responsibilities will entail: leading a global team in driving diversity and inclusion strategies for the group, which is prioritizing a range of programs that help expand its work with under-represented talent. Beckmann will now be working under and reporting to Marva Smalls, EVP, Global Head of Inclusion, ViacomCBS, and Raffaele Annecchino, President & CEO, VCNI. Beckmann had this to say regarding the promotion: “This promotion further strengthens [VCNI’s] diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. We have a critical responsibility to elevate the voices and issues that matter most to our employees, audiences, and communities around the world and foster a culture of respect and belonging.”
