OWN Sets Megachurch Drama Series From Craig Wright & Lionsgate
Oprah Winfrey’s OWN is expanding its scripted slate with Greenleaf, a new original drama series from writer-producer Craig Wright (Six Feet Under, Lost). The Lionsgate-owned series is set for production later this year. Winfrey and Wright are executive producing.
Greenleaf revolves around the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful. According to the series description, “Greenleaf is the center of the community for the thousands of predominantly African-American members who attend services there. But beneath its steeple lies a den of iniquity — greed, adultery, sibling rivalry and conflicting values — a multigenerational matrix of deception that involves the church’s founding family but also extends to the congregation and prominent members of the Memphis community and beyond. Yet, amidst all of the mayhem and deception, the power of something greater persists, calling everyone to conscience for their sins.”
Most recently, Wright was executive producer and writer for FX’s Tyrant and consulting producer on Showtime’s United States Of Tara. Wright also was supervising producer on the long-running series Brothers And Sisters and created the cult hit Dirty Sexy Money.
“When I first read the script, I instantly felt an affinity for the characters and loved Craig’s creative vision for a fictional drama on an epic scale,” said Winfrey. “This show is going to be a fun ride and will hopefully have viewers on the edge of their pews week after week.”
Said Kevin Beggs, Chairman of Lionsgate Television Group: “With its singular take on a world rarely seen and a fascinating family at its core, Greenleaf has all the makings of a highly addictive drama that embodies the kind of provocative high-quality entertainment we champion at Lionsgate. We’re thrilled to be working with Oprah and Craig and proud to be part of OWN’s expansion in scripted programming.”
Said Wright: “To tell this potentially explosive story with Oprah, a partner who has as much respect and affection for the church as I do, whose entire body of work is infused with what I would call a faith-based humanism, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A blessing, even.”
Greenleaf is produced for OWN by Lionsgate. The deal was brokered by WME who represents Winfrey and Wright.
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