Rejoice, for our empress of everything the light touches has returned to the art form that gave us The Women of Brewster Place. Yes, minions: Oprah has returned to scripted television. Queen O will appear on a melodrama called Greenleaf...on the network she owns (OWNs?).
Described by as a “megachurch drama,” the trailer sort of looks like what would happen if you mated Empire with August: Osage County, plus stadium seating, pulpits, and MISDEEDS. So many misdeeds, guys. And also probably murder.
According to the official synopsis, “Greenleaf centers on the journey of estranged daughter and disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf,” played by Merle Dandridge. In case you weren’t tipped off by the word “estranged,” Grace comes home after spending two decades away from the fam because her sister, Faith, dies under strange circumstances. (Surprised, no?)
“As she reenters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis megachurch run by her powerful parents...it becomes evident that things are not as virtuous as they seem and that the family’s outward display of faith hides sin and misdeeds.”
If I already wasn’t into Empire: Oprah County, the line in the trailer that sold me was this: “You better tell that little sidepiece to stop texting so damn much.”
If you can say “sidepiece” with campy conviction and emphasis, you have me at your mercy.
Besides that, the line-up for the show looks pretty ace, with what looks like an almost all POC cast which also stars Keith David and Lynn Whitfield in addition to Dandridge. Oprah is set to play Grace’s Aunt Mavis, and presumably you’ll be able to see her return to the scripted screen when Greenleaf premieres on Tuesday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 22. If the person who owns your network is appearing on your show, you better bet that the premiere takes two nights, not one.
Did I mention Oprah’s also one of the executive producers? She’s also one of the executive producers.
Do what you will, but I am most definitely into this, especially since I imagine Oprah being like, “I’m just gonna pop in whenever I feel like it. Because I can.” Perfection, dear readers, perfection.
Contact the author at jamie.reich@jezebel.com.
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