Family Reunion (TV series)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Family Reunion
Genre
Created byMeg DeLoatch
Starring
ComposerWendell Hanes
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3 (5 parts)
No. of episodes45
Production
Executive producers
  • Meg DeLoatch
  • Robert Prinz
  • Arthur Harris
  • Adrienne Carter
Producers
  • Robert West
  • Scott Hartle
Cinematography
  • John Simmons
  • Antar Abderrahman
  • Clifford Jones
EditorRussell Griffin
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time24–34 minutes
Production companyMega Diva
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseJuly 10, 2019 (2019-07-10) –
October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)

Family Reunion is an American sitcom created by Meg DeLoatch that was released via streaming on Netflix on July 10, 2019.[1] In September 2019, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on April 5, 2021.[2] Part 4 was released on August 26, 2021.[3] In October 2021, the series was renewed for a third and final season, Part 5, which premiered on October 27, 2022.[4][5]

Premise

A family of six from Seattle, Washington, visit Columbus, Georgia, to attend a family reunion. They decide to relocate there to be closer to their family.[6]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

  • Richard Roundtree as Grandpa, M'Dear's husband for 43 years and Moz's father who is also a pastor. He is a survivor of prostate cancer.
  • Warren Burke as Daniel, Moz's childish brother
  • Lexi Underwood as Ava (season 1), Jade's friend from church
  • Naomi Grace as Genevieve, Jade's friend from school who speaks with a British accent.
  • Mark Curry as Principal Glass (seasons 1–2), the principal of Maya Angelou
    Magnet School
  • Lindsey Da Sylveira as Mikayla, Jade's nemesis who is a black activist and mocks Jade for not being “black enough”.
  • Telma Hopkins as Maybelle, M'Dear's sister who got married 4 times (5 times including her marriage to Tony in Season 3)
  • Lance Alexander as Elvis, a family friend of the McKellan family who also has a crush on Jade
  • Journey Carter as Renee, one of Jade's friends
  • Jasun Jabbar Wardlaw, Jr. as Tyson (season 3), Moz and Cocoa's nephew and Maureen's son whose behavior is troublesome due to his father's passing but shapes up with the support of his family in Columbus.
  • Legend and Legacy Jordan as Skye McKellan, Cocoa and Moz's lastborn son, Jade, Shaka, Mazzi and Ami's youngest sibling, Daniel and Grace's nephew and M'Dear and Grandpa's fifth grandchild

Guest stars

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
12010July 10, 2019 (2019-07-10)
1December 9, 2019 (2019-12-09)
9January 20, 2020 (2020-01-20)
2158April 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
7August 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)
310October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)

Season 1 (2019–20)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
Part 1
11"Remember How This All Started?"Eric Dean SeatonMeg DeLoatchJuly 10, 2019 (2019-07-10)
The McKellans head to a family reunion at M'Dear and Grandpa's house, where Moz, Cocoa and the kids consider a simpler life away from city comforts.
22"Remember Charlie Wilson?"Eric Dean SeatonBeverly DeLoatch & Charity L. MillerJuly 10, 2019 (2019-07-10)
The family begins to unpack and settle in but not everyone is accepting the change as quickly. Jade has to share a room with Ami which she is not used to. Ami does crazy things in her sleep keeping Jade up all night. Refusing to live like this, she begins to move upstairs to the attic. Meanwhile, while the parents are together talking, Mazzi and Shaka discover an autograph signed by Charlie Wilson and M'Dear reveals that she was once involved with Wilson back in the day. She claims that she had helped him with a few things but never actually dated him. Grandpa gets furious and refuses to believe this and ignores M'Dear despite her attempts to explain. Seeing as how they started this by snooping around M’Dear’s stuff in the first place, Moz grounds Shaka and Mazzi until they figure out how to fix M’Dear and Grandpa’s fight. When all else fails, the boys turn to Jade for help, which she initially refuses, but agrees after M'Dear moves up to the attic with her and prevents Jade from sleeping, such as loudly praying to God for a long time and snoring in her sleep. They invite Wilson over to clear things up and confirms he didn't date M'Dear, causing M'Dear and Grandpa to reconcile. The Mckellans hang out with Wilson and sing his songs.
33"Remember Vacation Bible School?"Jody Margolin HahnAdrienne CarterJuly 10, 2019 (2019-07-10)
Moz gets the kids go-karts but Cocoa is totally against having them. She claims that they will get hurt and bans them from being ridden. Moz ends up riding them with the kids but Ami gets a hurt knee and Mazzi hurts his hand but the three of them agree to not tell Cocoa. However, at dinner that night, Ami beings to limp and Mazzi eats with one hand which leads to Cocoa discovering the truth about the accidents. Meanwhile, M'Dear takes Jade and Shaka to Vacation Bible School where she challenges everyone to recite as many bible verses as possible with a certain word. She beats and humiliates everybody including Jade, Shaka and Elvis. Determined to beat M'Dear, Jade takes Shaka's suggestion and uses a bible verse app to cheat and ends up beating her. However, M'Dear decides to do this at church and before they begin she takes out Jade's earpiece causing her to lose the competition. Jade ends up confessing to everyone and apologizes to M'Dear, while the family hang out on the porch when the service is over. Cocoa is revealed to be injured from driving in the go-kart.
44"Remember When I Lost My Sister?"Leonard R. Garner, Jr.Ralph GreeneJuly 10, 2019 (2019-07-10)

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
Part 3
211"Remember Mazzi's First Love?"Juanesta Carlota HolmesAnthony C. HillApril 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
222"Remember When Jade Broke a Nail??!"Robbie CountrymanRalph GreeneApril 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
233"Remember When Cocoa Was a Housewife?"Robbie CountrymanArthur HarrisApril 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
244"Remember When M'Dear Changed History?"Eric Dean SeatonMeg DeLoatchApril 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
255"Remember the False Idol?"Morenike JoelaDeja HarrellApril 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
266"Remember When Shaka Did the Robot?"Kelly ParkAnthony C. HillApril 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
277"Remember When the Glass Passed?"Juanesta Carlota HolmesRalph GreeneApril 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
The McKellan children are shocked when they learn that Principal Glass has died. Jade finds herself conflicted in having grief, due to her past clashes with Glass and feeling herself to be the only McKellan in not having a positive relationship with him. Jade also refused to take part in singing at a ceremony in honor of Principal Glass until she gets a visit from Glass's spirit, who tells her that in spite of their differences, he always viewed her as a great leader. This moves Jade, inspiring her to attend the ceremony. Meanwhile, Mazzi starts dealing with death anxiety until M'Dear takes him and Ami to a funeral home and gave them a light humor discussion about mortality.
288"Remember When Cocoa Found Her Calling?"Richard LyonsSa'Rah L. Jones & Lia Prewitt-MartinApril 5, 2021 (2021-04-05)
Part 4
299"Remember When the Trick Wasn't a Treat?"Russell GriffinChris MooreAugust 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)
3010"Remember When M'Dear Stole the Show?"Leonard R. Garner Jr.Meg DeLoatch & George BlakeAugust 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)
3111"Remember When Jade Thought She Was Grown?"Morenike JoelaLia Prewitt-MartinAugust 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)
3212"Remember the Story M'Dear Hates to Tell?"Sheldon EppsArthur HarrisAugust 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)
3313"Remember My Funny Valentine?"Michael A. JosephMeg DeLoatchAugust 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)
3414"Remember When Cocoa Did It All?"John SimmonsChris Moore & Deja HarrellAugust 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)
3515"Remember M'Dear's Roast?"Jody Margolin HahnBill BoulwareAugust 26, 2021 (2021-08-26)

Season 3 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
Part 5
361"Remember When the Skye Fell?"Russell GriffinAdrienne CarterOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
372"Remember the New Addition to the Family?"Morenike Joela EvansArthur HarrisOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
After singing at church, Jade and M'Dear are approached by the pastor's nephew, a famous rapper (Coy Stewart) to sing on his new song. When they listen to it, it turns out that it has sexual references that M'Dear frowns upon. When Jade confronts him about this, he disrespects his uncle, the church, and his own grandma. It turns out that Jade was recording the whole thing and threatens to put it on TikTok. At the church, he visits to apologize for the song and starts to perform a new version of the song, about Jesus. Meanwhile, Cocoa's sister (Essence Atkins) visits with her son Tyson after he gets in trouble back home in Detroit. He then takes Moz's car for a joyride with Mazzi and Ami. It turns out that this behavior is a result of his father passing away.
383"Remember Stompin' the Yard?"Robbie CountrymanDeja HarrellOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
394"Remember the Homecoming Queen?"Juanesta Carlota HolmesLia Prewitt-MartinOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
405"Remember When Elvis Broke Jesus?"Ron MoseleyAmber McCainOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
416"Remember When the Raccoon Crashed the Wedding?"Sheldon EppsSa'Rah L. JonesOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
427"Remember When Mazzi Almost Lost It?"Rob DeaneWarren HutchersonOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
438"Remember When Jade Walked in M'Dear's Shoes?"
Leonard R. Garner, Jr.
Bill BoulwareOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
449"Remember Our 20 Acres and a Deed?"Eric Dean SeatonShawnté McCallOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)
4510"Remember the New Beginning?"John SimmonsBeverly DeLoatchOctober 27, 2022 (2022-10-27)

Production

Development

On October 17, 2018, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a straight-to-series order for a first season consisting of twenty episodes. The series was created by Meg DeLoatch who was also expected to executive produce. Production began in Los Angeles.[6][7] The first part was released on July 10, 2019.[1] On September 17, 2019, Netflix renewed the series for a second season consisting of sixteen episodes. It was also announced that there will be a holiday special that was released on December 9, 2019, and the nine extra season 1 episodes were released on January 20, 2020.[8][9] The second season premiered on April 5, 2021.[2] Part 4 was released on August 26, 2021.[3] On October 18, 2021, Netflix renewed the series for a 10-episode third and final season.[4] The third season premiered on October 27, 2022.[5]

Casting

Alongside the initial series announcement, it was reported that Tia Mowry, Loretta Devine, Anthony Alabi, Talia Jackson, Isaiah Russell-Bailey, Cameron J. Wright, and Jordyn James had been cast in series regular roles.[6][7]

Reception

The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 67% approval rating for the series, based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 5/10.[10]

Awards and Nominations

The series received numerous awards and nominations, it won

Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series in 2020
.

References

  1. ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 14, 2019). "Meg DeLoatch Assembles All-Black Writers Room For Netflix's 'Family Reunion' Starring Tia Mowry And Loretta Devine". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Mauch, Ally (March 8, 2021). "Family Reunion Will Feature 3 Real Housewives Guest Stars in the New Season — Watch the Trailer!". People. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Bosselman, Haley; Shanfeld, Ethan (July 19, 2021). "Starz Releases Trailer for Wrestling Drama 'Heels' (TV News Roundup)". Variety. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (October 18, 2021). "'Family Reunion" Renewed For Third & Final Season By Netflix With New Showrunners". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Bjornson, Greta (September 21, 2022). "New on Netflix October 2022". Decider. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (October 17, 2018). "Tia Mowry & Loretta Devine Star In 'Family Reunion' Comedy Series Ordered By Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Goldberg, Lesley (October 17, 2018). "Tia Mowry, Loretta Devine to Star in Netflix Comedy 'Family Reunion'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  8. ^ Bennett, Anita (September 17, 2019). "Netflix Renews 'Family Reunion' For Second Season". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  9. ^ Mallenbaum, Carly (December 11, 2019). "Netflix's January 2020 list: New seasons of 'Grace and Frankie,' 'Sabrina'". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  10. ^ "Family Reunion: Part 1 (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  11. ^ Hipes, Patrick; Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 27, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards Winners: 'Bad Boys For Life' Best Picture, D-Nice Entertainer Of The Year; Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman Top Movie Acting Honors – Full List Of Winners". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.

External links