Greenleaf (TV series)

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Greenleaf
Genre
Created byCraig Wright
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes60 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerGerrit Van der Meer
Production locationsAtlanta, Georgia
Running time42 minutes
Production companiesPine City
Harpo Films
Lionsgate Television
Original release
NetworkOprah Winfrey Network
ReleaseJune 21, 2016 (2016-06-21) –
August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)

Greenleaf is an American drama television series created by Craig Wright, and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and Lionsgate Television. Clement Virgo also serves as an executive producer and director. It stars Keith David, Lynn Whitfield, and Merle Dandridge. Greenleaf premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) on June 21, 2016.[1]

On November 23, 2018, OWN renewed the series for a fourth season.[2] The fourth season premiered on September 3, 2019. On November 15, 2019, OWN confirmed the renewal of a fifth and final season of the series, which premiered on June 23, 2020.[3] A spinoff of Greenleaf is in the works at OWN, and will focus on Whitfield's character and her new role as senior pastor.[4]

Premise

Greenleaf follows the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family with scandalous secrets and lies, their palatial family mansion compound, and their sprawling

African-American
members. The series' lead characters are Bishop James Greenleaf (David) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Whitfield), who are the patriarch and matriarch of the Greenleaf family, and Grace Greenleaf (Dandridge), their estranged daughter who has returned home after 20 years following the mysterious death of her sister, Faith. Deep down, this family cares for and loves each other, but secrets, lies, adultery, sibling rivalry and other issues swarm the family as they try to keep themselves together. There are a variety of people who try to run the family out of their beloved church but they lay it all on the line to keep each other tight and close like any family.

Production

Development

On July 30, 2015, OWN announced that it had ordered Greenleaf—a new drama following an African-American megachurch run by the eponymous family in Memphis, Tennessee.[5][6][7] Both Greenleaf and another series announced that year, Queen Sugar, were the first scripted series acquired by OWN that were not produced by Tyler Perry.[8] The series was created by Lost and Six Feet Under writer Craig Wright and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey with Wright and Lionsgate Television, with 13 episodes for the first season set for production later in 2015.[6] On September 9, 2015, The Book of Negroes writer and director Clement Virgo joined the series as executive producer and director of the pilot episode.[9]

Filming of the first season began in October, 2015 in Atlanta,

Tribeca Film Festival in April, before its television debut in June, of 2016.[14][15][16]

In 2020, it was announced that Craig Wright is writing a spinoff for series.[17] The series will focus on Lady Mae's new role as pastor of a church.[4]

Casting

Casting advertising began in August 2015. On August 24, 2015, it was announced that

Emmy Award winner Whitfield will star as Lady Mae Greenleaf, Bishop Greenleaf's wife, steely and power and money hungry matriarch of the family, while Dandridge play her estranged daughter who returns to home with her teenage daughter (played by Ross).[18] On September 3, 2015, Keith David was cast in the leading role of Bishop James Greenleaf, the family patriarch and leader of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries.[19] On September 4, 2015 Tye White has been cast as son-in-law of the Bishop.[20] On September 9, 2015, Lamman Rucker, Kim Hawthorne and Deborah Joy Winans have landed the last three regular roles.[21] Rucker plays eldest son, Jacob, while Hawthorne stars as his controlling wife, Kerissa. Winans plays Charity, the youngest daughter of the Bishop.[22]

On September 24, 2015, it was announced that series' executive producer Oprah Winfrey joined Greenleaf in a recurring role as Mavis McCready, the sister of Lady Mae Greenleaf.[23][24] Whitfield and Winfrey previous co-starred in the 1989 miniseries The Women of Brewster Place. On November 20, 2015, Anna Diop was cast as a teacher who is engaged to Greenleaf Estate's manager.[25] Three days later, it was announced that Terri J. Vaughn will recur as chief housekeeper at Greenleaf mansion.[26]

For the second season, Lovie Simone and GregAlan Williams were promoted to series regulars after appearing as recurring in almost all episodes in first season.[27]

Cast and characters

Lynn Whitfield and Keith David star in the series.

Main cast

  • Keith David as Bishop James Greenleaf, the charismatic and strong leader of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries and Greenleaf family patriarch.
  • First Lady
    of Calvary Fellowship and family matriarch.
  • Merle Dandridge as Pastor Grace "Gigi" Greenleaf, Mae and Bishop's eldest child. She returns home 20 years after escaping from the family. Her mother and siblings consistently deplore her "desertion". She proudly serves as Executive Pastor of Ministry at Calvary Fellowship under Bishop and First Lady Greenleaf Leadership.
  • Desiree Ross as Sophia Greenleaf, Grace's teenage daughter, who shares her mother's charms and whose deep religious faith is challenged.
  • Lamman Rucker as Pastor Jacob Greenleaf, the second-born child and only son of the Bishop. He resents Grace for abandoning the family and leaving him to take her place in the ministry, crushing his dream of a career in professional baseball. He previously and proudly served as Associate Pastor of Discipleship, and now serves as Senior Pastor of Triumph Fellowship Church.
  • Kim Hawthorne as Kerissa Greenleaf, Jacob's ambitious and controlling wife and headmistress of Excellence Academy.
  • Deborah Joy Winans as Charity Greenleaf, the youngest Greenleaf child and also Minister of Music at Calvary Fellowship. Being the youngest, she is furious at being left out of family situations. Like Jacob, she resents Grace for leaving the family, forcing Charity to stay bound to her family's church.
  • Tye White as Kevin Satterlee, Charity's now gay husband and director of Outreach at Calvary Fellowship (seasons 1–3)
  • Gregory Alan Williams as Robert "Mac" McCready, the Lady Mae and Mavis´s pederast´s brother. (recurring season 1; main season 2).
  • Lovie Simone as Zora Greenleaf, Kerissa and Jacob's rebellious teenage daughter. (recurring season 1; main seasons 2–5)
  • Rick Fox as Darius Nash, a journalist for the Tennessee Statesman. (recurring seasons 2 & 5; main season 3)

Recurring cast

  • Oprah Winfrey as Mavis McCready, Lady Mae and Mac's estranged sister and a close confidant of Grace; once a nightclub owner.
  • Cortez McCauley as Jacob "Winkie" Greenleaf Jr., Jacob and Kerissa's son and Zora's younger brother
  • Terri J. Vaughn as Melisse, chief housekeeper at Greenleaf mansion. (Season 1)
  • Benjamin Patterson as Noah Kendall, Greenleaf Estate's manager, church security chief and Gigi's ex-boyfriend and childhood sweetheart and A.J.'s father whom he shares with Grace (Seasons 1, 4–5)
  • Anna Diop as Isabel, a teacher engaged to Greenleaf Estate's manager, Noah Kendall (Season 1)
  • Bill Cobbs as Henry McCready, father of Lady Mae, Mavis, and Mac (Seasons 1–2)
  • Michael Rodrick as Ray Fisher, Sophia's father from Arizona.
  • Kristin Erickson as Alexa Campbell, the Bishop's Secretary. (Season 1 and 5)
  • Terri Abney as Faith Greenleaf, Mae and Bishop's late daughter and third child, who dies before the first episode, Mac's rape victim.
  • Gary Weeks as Adrian Miller
  • Jen Harper as Deacon Connie Sykes, Lady Mae's arch-frenemy and longtime member of the Deacon Board with a love/hate relationship toward the Bishop
  • Roxzane T. Mims as Darlene, the second secretary whose daughter Vida was one of Mac's rape victims.
  • Njema Williams as Pastor Thomas Sneed
  • Parnell Damone Marcano as Carlton Cruise, Calvary's choir director.
  • Karan Kendrick as Wanda, Charity's confidante and assistant in the Ministry of Music.(Seasons 1-2)
  • Avis-Marie Barnes as Misty Williams, a deacon board member who often disagrees with Bishop along with her husband, Fred
  • L. Warren Young as Fred Williams, a deacon board member who often disagrees with Bishop along with his wife, Misty.
  • Carlacia Grant as Danielle Turner, a teenage girl who was one of Mac's rape victims.
  • Deji LaRay as David Nelson, a cop who seeks spiritual help at Calvary in the wake of a police-brutality protest against him. He is killed in Season 1 by the brother of the teen he had shot down.
  • Xavier Charles as Morris Davis
  • Zachary S. Williams as William
  • Kedrick Brown as Breezy
  • Nidhi Ghildayal as Rajendra Sawh
  • Chevonne Hughes as Karine Jackson
  • Jason Dirden as Basie Skanks, a pastor of Greenleaf's rival church Triumph who is a thorn in the side of the Bishop[28]
  • Roshon Fegan as Isaiah Hambrick, Zora's ex-boyfriend, a rising young Christian singing bad boy from Triumph that is abusive to Zora both verbally and physically, and is a thorn in the side of Sophia [28][29]
  • Sean Dominic as Martin Jabari Johnson, a record producer hired by Charity to produce Calvary's new album and Charity's former love interest.[28][29]
  • William H. Bryant as Aaron Jeffries, a lawyer hired by Cavalry.
  • Tim Reid as Lionel Jeffries, Aaron's father and the Bishop's friend, who once shared an intimate past with Lady Mae.
  • Antonio J. Bell as Roberto Calloway, Sophia's boyfriend who shares the same religious belief as her and deeply cares for her
  • Asia'h Epperson as Tasha Skanks, wife of Basie Skanks and rival of Kerissa and Lady Mae.
  • LeToya Luckett as Rochelle Cross/Rochelle James, a member of the Calvary congregation.
  • Patti LaBelle as Maxine Patterson, a famous Christian motivational speaker and the CEO of a global Christian self-help empire. She is also an old friend of Lady Mae's from college.(season 3).
  • Beau Bridges as Bob Whitmore, racist preacher and owner of the Harmony & Hope megachurch franchise. (Seasons 3-5)
  • Richard Gant as Percy Lee, the Bishop's old friend from college. He is the owner of a funeral home. (season 3)
  • Jacob Romero
    as A.J. Delajae, Grace's long-lost son, whom she shares with Noah (Seasons 4–5)
  • Sean Blakemore as Phillip "Phil" DeMars, the co-president of Harmony & Hope and Charity's love interest (Seasons 4–5; guest Season 3)
  • Valerie Jane Parker as Judee Witmore, Bob's daughter, music minister and the new first lady of Harmony & Hope (Seasons 4–5)
  • Jennifer Sears as Tara James, Rochelle's sister, who unlike Rochelle is not ruthless (Season 5)

Episodes

Main article: List of Greenleaf episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
113June 21, 2016 (2016-06-21)August 31, 2016 (2016-08-31)
216March 15, 2017 (2017-03-15)September 27, 2017 (2017-09-27)
313August 28, 2018 (2018-08-28)November 21, 2018 (2018-11-21)
410September 3, 2019 (2019-09-03)November 5, 2019 (2019-11-05)
58June 23, 2020 (2020-06-23)August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)

Ahead of its television premiere, on April 21, 2016, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on March 15, 2017. Season 2 returned with new episodes on a two-night premiere beginning on August 15, 2017. On August 7, 2017, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered in a two-night premiere on August 28 and August 29, 2018 and ran until November 21, 2018. On September 19, 2018, the series was renewed for a fourth season. On May 3, 2020, OWN announced that a fifth and final season, which premiered on June 23, 2020.

A one-hour special titled Greenleaf: Goin' Up Yonder premiered on June 16, 2020.[30] A post-finale special titled Greenleaf: The Homegoing Celebration premiered on August 11, 2020.[31]

Reception

The first season of Greenleaf received mainly positive reviews from critics,[32] who particularly praised the acting performances of the series' lead actress, Merle Dandridge, as well as Lynn Whitfield and Keith David.[33] On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season of Greenleaf has an approval rating of 81%, based on 21 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads: "Immersed in a unique megachurch setting, Greenleaf is a juicy family soap bolstered by a provocative spirituality."[34] The site's critical consensus reads, "Immersed in a unique megachurch setting, Greenleaf is a juicy family soap bolstered by a provocative spirituality."[34] Metacritic gave season one of the show a score of 68 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[32]

Maureen Ryan, television critic for Variety stated "Dandridge is naturalistic in her portrayal of a practical, cautious woman re-examining her family history and her own choices and mistakes, while Whitfield has the imperious aura of a grand soap opera diva in the tradition of Joan Collins."[33] Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter wrote in his review "effectively balance the melodrama, vast ensemble and church details and contribute a level of technical proficiency that goes far beyond what the Tyler Perry Factory brings to The Haves and the Have Nots, OWN's big scripted hit."[35] The Boston Globe's Matthew Gilbert compared Greenleaf with primetime soaps like Revenge and the similarly black-cast Empire.[36]

Greenleaf has received positive reviews from critics, with most praising Dandridge, Whitfield and David's performances.[32][34] The series premiere drew 3.04 million viewers, making it the No. 1 series debut in OWN history.[37][38] On April 21, 2016, the series was renewed for a second season ahead of its television premiere.[39][40] The second season premiered on March 15, 2017. On August 7, 2017, the series was renewed for a third season.[41] The third season premiered in a two-episode special on August 28 and August 29, 2018. On September 19, 2018, the series was renewed for a fourth season.[42]

Accolades

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result
2017 48th NAACP Image Awards[43] Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Lynn Whitfield Nominated
Gracie Awards[44] Actress in a Supporting Role - Drama Lynn Whitfield Won
2018 49th NAACP Image Awards[45] Outstanding Drama Series Greenleaf Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Lynn Whitfield Nominated
Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series Erica L. Anderson (for "The Bear") Nominated
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album (Traditional or Contemporary) Greenleaf Soundtrack Volume 2 Won
2019 50th NAACP Image Awards[46] Outstanding Actor in a Dramatic Series Keith David Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Lynn Whitfield Won
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Greenleaf, Season 3 (Music from the Original TV Series) Nominated
2020 51st NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series Greenleaf Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Lynn Whitfield Won
2021 52nd NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Dramatic Series Keith David Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Lynn Whitfield Nominated

International broadcast

The series is broadcast by Netflix worldwide outside the United States and Canada.[47]

Soundtrack

The gospel songs recorded by the cast were released on iTunes, as an album entitled Greenleaf (Gospel Companion Soundtrack, Vol. 1).[48]

References

  1. ^ Denise Petski (January 21, 2016). "'Greenleaf': OWN's Megachurch Drama Series Gets Premiere Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  2. ^ Cameron K., McEwan. "Greenleaf season 4: Cast, episodes, trailer, air date, and everything you need to know". Digital Spy. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  3. ^ Wani, Jibran. "Greenleaf Season 5 Confirmed: Release Date, Renewal, And Updates". Otakukart. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Jones, Monique. "'Greenleaf' Spinoff Details Revealed ― Here's What To Expect". Shadow and Act. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  5. ^ Denise Petski (July 30, 2015). "OWN Sets Megachurch Drama Series From Craig Wright & Lionsgate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Reece Ristau (July 30, 2015). "OWN Picks Up Megachurch Drama". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  7. ^ "OWN Orders Megachurch Drama From 'Lost' Grad Straight to Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. July 30, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  8. ^ Tambay A. Obenson (August 24, 2015). "Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge and Desiree Ross Cast in". IndieWire. Archived from the original on August 26, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  9. ^ Courtney (September 14, 2015). "Clement Virgo Boards OWN's Mega-Church Drama 'Greenleaf'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  10. ^ Denise Petski (September 24, 2015). "Oprah Winfrey To Recur In OWN's Megachurch Drama 'Greenleaf'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  11. ^ "Merle Dandridge on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  12. ^ Rick Kissell (January 21, 2016). "OWN"s Megachurch Drama 'Greenleaf' to Premiere in May". Variety. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  13. ^ Jacob Bryant (March 16, 2016). "Watch: Oprah Winfrey Returns to Scripted TV in 'Greenleaf'". Variety. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  14. ^ Jeremy Gerard (March 14, 2016). "Oprah Winfrey's 'Greenleaf' To Premiere At Tribeca Film Fest". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  15. ^ Gordon Cox (March 14, 2016). "Tribeca Film Festival Launches TV Programming with Tribeca Tune In". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  16. ^ "Tribeca Film Festival: The Good Wife, more TV events announced as part of Tribeca Tune In". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  17. ^ "'Greenleaf' Spinoff in the Works at OWN". The Hollywood Reporter. May 19, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Denise Petski (August 24, 2015). "Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge & Desiree Ross Join 'Greenleaf'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  19. ^ Nellie Andreeva (September 3, 2015). "Keith David To Star In OWN Drama Series 'Greenleaf'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  20. ^ Denise Petski (September 4, 2015). "Tye White Joins OWN's 'Greenleaf'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  21. ^ Denise Petski (September 9, 2015). "OWN Megachurch Drama Series 'Greenleaf' Rounds Out Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  22. ^ Tambay A. Obenson (September 9, 2015). "Lamman Rucker, Kim Hawthorne and Deborah Joy Winans Join". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  23. ^ "Oprah Winfrey to Recur on OWN Drama 'Greenleaf'". The Hollywood Reporter. September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  24. ^ Liz Raftery (September 24, 2015). "Oprah Winfrey Will Star in OWN Drama Greenleaf". TV Guide. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  25. ^ Erik Pedersen (November 20, 2015). "Barry Rothbart Collars 'Downward Dog' Gig; Anna Diop Joins OWN Drama 'Greenleaf'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  26. ^ Denise Petski (November 24, 2015). "Terri J. Vaughn Joins 'Greenleaf'; Ellia English In 'Code Black'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  27. ^ Pedersen, Erik (October 27, 2016). "'Greenleaf': GregAlan Williams & Lovie Simone Upped To Regulars On OWN Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  28. ^ a b c "Sean Dominic and Roshon Fegan Join OWN's 'Greenleaf' Season 2 Cast". Shadow and Act. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  29. ^ a b Petski, Denise (November 16, 2016). "'Greenleaf: Jason Dirden Returns For Season 2; Sean Dominic & Roshon Fegan Also Join Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  30. ^ "New One-Hour Special "Greenleaf: Goin' Up Yonder" to Air Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network". The Futon Critic. June 16, 2020.
  31. ^ "OWN Says Farewell to Hit Megachurch Drama "Greenleaf" with Post-Finale Special". The Futon Critic. August 10, 2020.
  32. ^ a b c "Greenleaf". Metacritic. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  33. ^ a b Ryan, Maureen (June 17, 2016). "TV Review: 'Greenleaf'". Variety. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  34. ^ a b c "Greenleaf: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  35. ^ "'Greenleaf': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. June 16, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  36. ^ "A soap opera that goes to church". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  37. ^ Patten, Dominic (June 22, 2016). "Oprah-Starring 'Greenleaf' Delivers OWN's Best Debut Ratings Ever". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  38. ^ Holloway, Daniel (June 22, 2016). "TV Ratings: Oprah Winfrey's 'Greenleaf' Premieres to OWN's Biggest Audience Ever". Variety. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  39. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 21, 2016). "'Greenleaf' Drama Series Gets Season 2 Renewal By OWN Ahead Of Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  40. ^ Obenson, Tambay A. (April 21, 2016). "OWN Shows Confidence in 'Greenleaf' – Orders Second Season Ahead of Season One Premiere. Season Two will premiere Spring 2017". IndieWire. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  41. ^ Petski, Denise (August 7, 2017). "'Greenleaf' Renewed For Season 3 By OWN; Rick Fox Upped To Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  42. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (September 19, 2018). "Greenleaf Renewed for Season 4". TVLine.
  43. ^ Kinane, Ruth (December 13, 2016). "Beyonce leads the pack of 2017 NAACP Image Award Nominees". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  44. ^ "Alliance For Women In Media Foundation Announce The 2017 Gracie Awards Winners". KJTV-TV. Archived from the original on April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  45. ^ "Nominees Announced for 49th NAACP Image Awards". NAACP. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  46. ^ Nakamura, Reid (March 30, 2019). "NAACP Image Awards 2019: The Complete Winners List". TheWrap. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  47. ^ Hipes, Patrick (January 27, 2017). "Netflix Nabs Global Streaming Rights To 'Greenleaf'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  48. ^ "Greenleaf: (Gospel Companion Soundtrack, Vol. 1". iTunes). August 26, 2016.

External links

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