Starz has announced the first three cast members on its upcoming family drama set in the Black rodeo world.
DeWanda Wise, Tian Richards and Marcus Mitchell join the cast as series regulars, the network announced Thursday, Aug. 6.
The untitled drama blends “hip hop swagger and country soul,” and follows a prominent Texas family navigating ambition, loyalty and secrets.
The story centers on three siblings defined by their mother’s legacy and the unfinished business left behind by their father.
As each sibling pursues their own ambitions, family alliances shift, relationships become complicated and buried secrets threaten to surface.
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Wise will play Anaya Clarke-Reagan, the eldest child in the Clarke family and mayor of Trinity City. Polished and politically ambitious, Anaya has carefully cultivated a conservative public image alongside her husband, Gregg who is a powerful judge.
But beneath the respectable surface, Anaya has secret desires. Although she works tirelessly for her city, protecting herself and her family remains her highest priority, even if that means shielding them from their own father.
The actress previously had roles in the Starz drama Three Women. Her film credits include Jurassic World Dominion and The Harder They Fall.
Richards will portray Rodney Clarke, the charming and impulsive younger brother of Anaya and Sebastian. Rodney has little interest in the family’s rodeo legacy and instead operates Big Rod’s Likka Lounge.
He appears to have left his troubled past behind, but that changes when his business is violently robbed and one of his associates is killed. Rodney’s thirst for revenge threatens to drag the entire Clarke family down.
The actor previously starred in The CW’s Tom Swift and appeared in Prime Video crime drama Ballard.
Mitchell will play Julius Calhoun, Sebastian’s closest friend. A decorated bull rider and hometown hero, Julius is deeply spiritual, disciplined and determined to take his career beyond Trinity City.
The actor’s credits include Chicago Fire and Step Up: High Water.
Starz ordered the Black rodeo series in May. Production on the eight-episode drama is expected to start in Atlanta later this month.
Kirk A. Moore (Demascus and American Crime) will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Mark Johnson and Myki Bajaj will also executive produce alongside Tony Hernandez, Elise Henderson and Lilly Burns.
The one-hour drama marks Starz’s second fully owned series as the network expands its slate of original programming after it became a standalone company.
The above image shows (L-R) DeWanda Wise, Tian Richards, Marcus Mitchell and is courtesy of Alano Miller, Lashaun Clay and Joelyn Dalit.
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