Nearly a year after Surviving R. Kelly debuted in January 2019, Lifetime has announced details on a follow-up docuseries titled Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning.
The original six-part series brought renewed attention to sex abuse allegations against R&B singer R. Kelly, leading to his arrest and the Grammy-winning performer facing federal and state charges in Illinois, New York, and Minnesota. Kelly has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lifetime announced on Wednesday, Dec. 11, that the “explosive” story will continue over three nights in January with Surviving R. Kelly Part II.
Related Story: Andrea Kelly Vows to Sue Lifetime for Using Her Image in ‘Part 2’ Trailer
The docuseries will include new interviews with accusers; investigative journalist and author Jim DeRogatis; music industry insiders Damon Dash, Mathew Knowles, and Jimmy Maynes.
“Whoever is acting like they didn’t know is lying,” Dash says in the trailer.
One accuser speaks of an alleged “suicide pact” with Kelly in the event of his arrest. Others say they received death threats after Surviving R. Kelly aired earlier this year.
The new installments will include interviews with #MeToo Founder Tarana Burke; comedian and Host W. Kamau Bell; actress Sheryl Lee Ralph; radio personality Angela Yee; cultural critic Jamilah Lemieux; Cook County prosecutor Kimberly M. Foxx; and attorneys Gloria Allred and Michael Avenatti.
“The three-night event uncovers new stories with revealing details and explores why the voices of the girls that spoke up decades ago are only now being heard,” Lifetime said in a press release.
Related Story: R. Kelly Hit With Bribery Charge Over Fake ID to Marry Aaliyah
Earlier this year, Surviving R. Kelly was seen by 26.8 million viewers over multiple airings.
In the days following the broadcast, calls to sexual assault hotlines increased by 35 percent, according to Lifetime. #MuteRKelly activists were also galvanized, pressing radio stations to stop playing Kelly’s music and record label RCA to drop him.
The docuseries picked up a Critic’s Choice Award and an MTV Award, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
The new episodes are produced by Kreativ Inc, with Joel Karsberg and Jesse Daniels of Kreativ Inc. serving as executive producers. Dream Hampton, Tamra Simmons, Maria Pepin, and Brie Miranda Bryant are executive producers for Lifetime. Sudi Khosropur is co-executive producer.
Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning premieres January 2 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime and will air over three consecutive nights.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I enjoyed this! Informative to find, but I don’t know where to start. Which of your articles would you point me to read next?