Tyler Perry’s ‘Sistas’ Starting Production In Atlanta; ‘The Oval’ To Follow – Update

Nellie Andreeva
·2 min read

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2nd UPDATE, 1 PM: I hear all results are in, and Sistas will start filming its second season tonight.

UPDATED July 14 : Backlog at local labs that handle COVID-19 tests has delayed results, thus delaying the series’ start of production. It is now slated to begin Wednesday, July 15.

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PREVIOUSLY, July 13: All systems are go for the cameras to start rolling on the second season of Tyler Perry’s BET series Sistas tomorrow, July 14. The cast and crew of the series had been quarantined at the Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios since late last week when actors were flown in from Los Angeles and New York on Perry’s private plane. (The crew of Perry’s shows is primarily local, based in Atlanta.)

So far, I hear the cast has tested negative, with the bulk of results for one final pre-production test done on the entire group to be delivered tomorrow. I hear filming is slated to begin Tuesday night with a night shoot. That may be pushed by a day or so if all results do not come back on time because of a backlog in processing of COVID-19 tests in Atlanta due to increased volume amid a nationwide surge in new infections.

If Sistas is able to complete its second season as planned, the actors and crew members from Perry’s other BET sophomore series, The Oval, will begin arriving July 30 for their Season 2 shoot, I hear.

Filming of Sistas and The Oval will be following the detailed guidelines Perry unveiled more than a month ago. It employs a strict protocol that involves testing and sequestering the shows’ cast and crew on the sprawling, 330-acre lot of Tyler Perry Studios. Everyone, including Perry, who is directing all episodes, will remain on the lot for the entire duration of each shoot.

Sistas wrapped its first season on April 29 with 1.6 million viewers total in the simulcast across BET and BET Her.

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