Greenleaf (TV series)

Greenleaf
Genre Drama
Mystery
Created by Craig Wright
Starring
Opening theme "Satan, Were Gonna' Tear Your Kingdom Down"
by Shirley Caesar
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 13
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s) Gerrit Van der Meer
Location(s) Atlanta, Georgia
Running time 42 minutes
Production company(s) Lionsgate Television
Release
Original network Oprah Winfrey Network
Picture format
Original release June 21, 2016 (2016-06-21) – present
External links
Official website

Greenleaf is an American television drama 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 on June 21, 2016.[1]

Greenleaf follows the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family with scandalous secrets and lies, and their sprawling Memphis megachurch with predominantly African-American members. The series' lead characters are Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Lynn Whitfield), who are the patriarch and matriarch of the Greenleaf family, and Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge), their estranged daughter who has returned home after 20 years following the mysterious death of her sister, Faith.

Greenleaf has received positive reviews from critics, with most praising Dandridge, Whitfield and David's performances.[2][3] The series premiere drew 3.04 million viewers, making it the No. 1 series debut in OWN history.[4][5] On April 21, 2016, the series was renewed for a second season ahead of television premiere.[6][7]

Production

Development

On July 30, 2015, it was announced that Oprah Winfrey Network ordered straight-to-series new scripted drama Greenleaf about powerful African-American dynasty of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling megachurch in Memphis, Tennessee.[8][9][10] After Ava DuVernay's Queen Sugar production, it's making Greenleaf the second scripted drama on the network that is not from Tyler Perry.[11] The series was created by Lost and Six Feet Under writer Craig Wright and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey with Wright and Lionsgate Television.13-episodes for first season set for production later in 2015.[9] 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.[12]

Filming of the first season began in October, 2015 in Atlanta,[13] and ended on March 24, 2016.[14] On January 21, 2016, it was announced that series will debut with a two-night premiere at 10pm Tuesday, May 24, 2016 and 10pm Wednesday, May 25, and will regularly air on Wednesdays at 10pm.[15] Later premiere was moved to June 21, 2016 and June 22, 2016.[16] The world premiere of Greenleaf will be during Tribeca Film Festival in April, before television debut in June 2016.[17][18][19]

Casting

Casting advertising began in August 2015. On August 24, 2015, it was announced that Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge and Desiree Ross are the first actors cast in series.[20] 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).[20] On September 3, 2015, Keith David was cast in the leading role of Bishop James Greenleaf, the family patriarch and leader of Greenleaf World Ministries.[21] On September 4, 2015 Tye White has been cast as son-in-law of the Bishop.[22] On September 9, 2015, Lamman Rucker, Kim Hawthorne and Deborah Joy Winans have landed the last three regular roles.[23] Rucker plays eldest son, while Hawthorne stars as his controlling wife. Winans plays the youngest daughter of the Bishop.[24]

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.[25][26] 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.[27] Three days later, it was announced that Terri J. Vaughn will recur as chief housekeeper at Greenleaf mansion.[28]

For the second season, Lovie Simone and GregAlan Williams was promoted to series regulars after appearing as recurring in almost all episodes in first season.[29]

Cast and characters

Lynn Whitfield and Keith David play main roles

Main cast

Recurring cast

  • Oprah Winfrey as Mavis McCready, Lady Mae's sister and a close confidant of Grace; also a blues club owner
  • Terri J. Vaughn as Melisse, the chief at Greenleaf mansion
  • Benjamin Patterson as Noah Kendall, Greenleaf Estate’s manager, church Security chief and Gigi's ex-crush
  • Anna Diop as Isabel, a teacher who is engaged to Greenleaf Estate’s manager, Noah Kendall
  • Bill Cobbs as Henry McCready, Gigi's maternal grandfather
  • Michael Rodrick as Sophia's father from California, Ray Fisher
  • Kristin Erickson as Alexa Campbell, the Bishop's Secretary and Jacob's mistress
  • Terri Abney as Faith Greenleaf, Mae and Bishop's daughter, who dies before first episode
  • Gary Weeks as Adrian Miller
  • Jen Harper as Deacon Connie Sykes
  • Roxzane T. Mims as Darlene, the second secretary
  • Parnell Damone Marcano as Carlton Cruise
  • Avis-Marie Barnes as Misty Williams
  • L. Warren Young as Fred Williams
  • Carlacia Grant as Danielle Turner
  • Deji LaRay as David Nelson
  • Xavier Charles as Morris Davis
  • Zachary S. Williams as William
  • Tian Richards as Antoine Adams

Episodes

Each episode's closing credits sequence features a unique piece of previously recorded music.

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"A Time to Heal"Clement VirgoCraig WrightJune 21, 2016 (2016-06-21)3.04[30]

Journalist Grace "Gigi" Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge) returns to her family in Memphis after the suspicious death of her sister Faith. Her cold mother Lady Mae (Lynn Whitfield) is not happy about Gigi's return to home, like the other family's members except for her father Bishop James (Keith David) and her Black-Sheep aunt Mavis (Oprah Winfrey). Grace’s ex-boyfriend Noah (Benjamin Patterson) is eager to see her but his fiancée Isabel (Anna Diop) is not happy about it; Later at dinner, Kerissa (Kim Hawthorne) questions Grace's faith in God, and Charity (Deborah Joy Winans) pitches a sermon for the church; After dinner, Kerissa tells her husband/Grace’s brother, Jacob (Lamman Rucker) to stop texting his mistress in front of her; Grace's daughter Sophia (Desiree Ross ) gets peer-pressured by her cousin Zora (Lovie Simone) and tries snorting Ritalin for the first time; Grace goes to Mavis’ jazz club to find out that her uncle Mac (Gregory Alan Williams) is still raping young girls; The next morning the family go to their church and Grace remembers why she left the family and God.

End credits: "Satan, We're Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down" by Shirley Caesar
2"The Baptism"Donna DietchCraig WrightJune 22, 2016 (2016-06-22)1.93[31]

Gigi stays in Memphis in order to investigate the death of her sister and began working in Greenleaf World Ministries. Sophia wants to know why their short visit turned into a move and she’s having trouble fitting in; Later, Grace finds out the girl that Mac raped made a police statement and took it back; James wants Jacob to be in charge of the Deacon Board, but he’s hesitates with excitement; A local police officer named David Nelson shot an innocent young black teenager and the church is avoiding his calls; Grace has to baptize a baby but refuses to do it unless the baby’s mother approves; Jacob and his mistress, Alexa plan a night together; Kerissa and Lady Mae plan food choices for the church, but Kerissa is more interested of Grace’s intentions with the church; Charity is having trouble with the choir director; Charity’s husband Kevin takes an interest the man leading a homeless outreach program; Lady Mae wants Noah to keep an eye on Grace.

End credits: "Somebody Was Watching" by Pops Staples
3"We Shall See Him As He Is"Charles Stone IIIArt AlamoJune 22, 2016 (2016-06-22)2.05[31]

Gigi continues her inquiry into her uncle's latest misconduct. The Bishop faces new political pressure involving the police-child shooting; Sophia attends a church lock-in and falls in with a bad crowd which then get themselves locked out; Kevin and Charity go to a bar and Kevin attracts the wrong attention. They later learns that Charity is pregnant but he’s not as happy as he wants to be; Grace goes to dinner with Noah and Isabel; Jacob and Kerrisa have dinner with an old married couple; Mac pays Mavis a visit; Lady Mae, James, and Mac plan a trip to lunch in New York, but their private jet is having technical difficulties.

End credits: "Get Your House In Order" by Dottie Peoples
4"Behind Closed Doors"Clement VirgoMike FlynnJune 29, 2016 (2016-06-29)1.88[32]

The mayor calls in a favor, which leaves the Bishop in a bind that could split the church; Grace is blackmailed about Faith's past; Jacob and Kerissa attend couples counseling; and Charity has difficulty keeping a secret; Later, Bishop James invites the county police department to come to the church but the Deacon Board isn’t too happy

End credits: "Every Step" by Mavis Staples
5"Meaningful Survival"Charles Randolph-WrightErica L. AndersonJuly 6, 2016 (2016-07-06)2.06[33]
A family in the church asks for prayers; Lady Mae tries to mend fences between the Bishop and Deacon Sykes; Jacob's infidelities push Kerissa to her limit; and Kevin takes a step toward exploring his sexuality.
6"Good Morning, Calvary"Janice CookeElizabeth HunterJuly 13, 2016 (2016-07-13)1.79[34]
The Bishop appoints Grace to preach on Sunday in his absence; Jacob tries to arrange a TV deal for the church; and Kevin's flippant advice to Charity on how to hire a new music director backfires.
7"One Train May Hide Another"TBAMando AlvaradoJuly 20, 2016 (2016-07-20)2.17[35]
Mac is slated to be named "Memphis Man of the Year," but first must advise Charity about the music director; help Jacob with his TV pitch to the Bishop; and deal with paranoia about Grace's effort to bring him to justice. Also on his plate: the IRS audit; and the unwanted appearance of his and Lady Mae's father.
8"The Whole Book"Allan KroekerArt AlamoJuly 27, 2016 (2016-07-27)1.74[36]
While Mac is out of town Grace and Noah break into his computer and find out the real reason that Danielle lied to police about Mac; Isabel is trying to get Noah to make one discussion that she likes about the wedding; Jacob is still trying to get Bishop James to go on television, James is trying to put a stop to the protest led by another pastor; Charity must deal with the negative upraise on social media about the “gay-choir-director”.
9"The Broken Road"Clement VirgoErica L. AndersonAugust 3, 2016 (2016-08-03)2.07[37]
After the tragic death of David Nelson the church takes attention; Grace shows her family Danielle’s police statement and he take matters into their own hands; Graces finds out that Mac is leaving town so James asks him to stay; Jacob and Kerissa ask Zora if Mac ever “touched” her, she says no and later tells Sophia about Mac; Isabel found out that Noah and her slept together and calls the wedding off.
10"March to the Sea"Allan KroekerTyler Burkett & Ivy Mariel PrussAugust 10, 2016 (2016-08-10)2.31[38]
Everyone is uneasy after finding out the truth about Mac; Grace calls the police after Bishop shoots Mac; The church wants a new pastor after finding out that Bishop James shots someone; Charity feels left out when she’s the last to know about what’s going on and tells Kevin to sleep on the couch if he continues to keep secrets; Zora wants some privacy from her father after the “Mac” incident; Isabelle packs her things leaves Noah; Sophia is angry at her mother, Grace for not telling her about Mac, and allowing her to be alone with him; Finally, Sophia’s father pays Grace a visit.
11"Men Like Trees Walking"TBATBAAugust 17, 2016 (2016-08-17)2.12[39]
As the church continues to lose members Kerrisa suggests that Lady Mae’s annual Women’s Day event should be at the church so they can save money; Ray serves Grace for custody of Sophia; Sophia tries to find her own meaning of the bible when feels left out of her class discussion; Bishop continues holding a grudge with Grace while begging Mae for forgiveness; Kevin and Charity continue to be indifferent but Kevin isn’t happy when Charity pursues other projects;
12"Veni, Vidi, Vici"TBATBAAugust 24, 2016 (2016-08-24)2.09[40]
Grace, Ray and Sophia go to court; Basie, the Bishop and Jacob discuss an opportunity at Triumph; Deacon Sykes wants to hold a "women's day" at a smaller venue; Adrian gets the wrong idea about his lunch with Kevin; Mavis has problems with her club; and Kevin shares his feelings with Charity.
13"What Are You Doing Here?"TBATBAAugust 31, 2016 (2016-08-31)2.37[41]
In the Season 1 finale, Deacon Sykes has doubts about Lady Mae preaching at the "women's day" event; Basie wants Jacob to run Triumph's new community center; Lady Mae confronts Mavis; Kevin is trying to make things right with Charity but the alternative seems stretchy; Sophia returns home with Ray; and the episode ends with returning home with a police escort; Mac then walks past Grace and moves Lady Mae out of the way of the front door and walks into the house with the police; Meanwhile Bishop James is looking nervously out the upstairs window.

Reception

The first season of Greenleaf has received positive reviews from critics,[2] particularly praised acting performances of series lead actress Merle Dandridge, and well as Lynn Whitfield and Keith David.[42] On Rotten Tomatoes, has a rating of 79%, based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10.[3] The site consensus: "Immersed in a unique megachurch setting, Greenleaf is a juicy family soap bolstered by a provocative spirituality."[3] Metacritic gave season one of the show a score of 68 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[2]

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."[42] 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."[43] The Boston Globe's Matthew Gilbert compared Greenleaf with primetime soaps like Revenge and the similarly black-cast Empire.[44]

References

  1. ↑ Denise Petski. "'Greenleaf': OWN's Megachurch Drama Series Gets Premiere Date - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Greenleaf". Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Greenleaf: Season 1". Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  4. ↑ Patten, Dominic (22 June 2016). "Oprah-Starring 'Greenleaf' Delivers OWN's Best Debut Ratings Ever". Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  5. ↑ Holloway, Daniel (22 June 2016). "TV Ratings: Oprah Winfrey's 'Greenleaf' Premieres to OWN's Biggest Audience Ever". Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  6. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (21 April 2016). "'Greenleaf' Drama Series Gets Season 2 Renewal By OWN Ahead Of Premiere". Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  7. ↑ Obenson, Tambay A. (21 April 2016). "OWN Shows Confidence in 'Greenleaf' – Orders Second Season Ahead of Season One Premiere". Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  8. ↑ Denise Petski. "OWN Sets Megachurch Drama Series From Craig Wright & Lionsgate". Deadline. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  9. 1 2 Reece Ristau. "OWN Picks Up Megachurch Drama - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "OWN Orders Megachurch Drama From 'Lost' Grad Straight to Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Tambay A. Obenson (24 August 2015). "Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge and Desiree Ross Cast in - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Courtney (14 September 2015). "Clement Virgo Boards OWN's Mega-Church Drama 'Greenleaf' - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  13. ↑ Denise Petski. "Oprah Winfrey To Recur In OWN's Megachurch Drama 'Greenleaf'". Deadline. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  14. ↑ "Merle Dandridge on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  15. ↑ Rick Kissell. "OWN"s Megachurch Drama 'Greenleaf' to Premiere in May - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  16. ↑ Jacob Bryant. "Watch: Oprah Winfrey Returns to Scripted TV in 'Greenleaf' - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  17. ↑ Jeremy Gerard. "Oprah Winfrey's 'Greenleaf' To Premiere At Tribeca Film Fest - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  18. ↑ Gordon Cox. "Tribeca Film Festival Launches TV Programming with Tribeca Tune In - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  19. ↑ "Tribeca Film Festival: The Good Wife, more TV events announced as part of Tribeca Tune In - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  20. 1 2 Denise Petski. "Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge & Desiree Ross Join 'Greenleaf' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  21. ↑ Nellie Andreeva. "Keith David To Star In OWN Drama Series 'Greenleaf'". Deadline. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  22. ↑ Denise Petski. "Tye White Joins OWN's 'Greenleaf' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  23. ↑ Denise Petski. "OWN Megachurch Drama Series 'Greenleaf' Rounds Out Cast - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  24. ↑ Tambay A. Obenson (9 September 2015). "Lamman Rucker, Kim Hawthorne and Deborah Joy Winans Join - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  25. ↑ "Oprah Winfrey to Recur on OWN Drama 'Greenleaf'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  26. ↑ Liz Raftery (24 September 2015). "Oprah Winfrey Will Star in OWN Drama Greenleaf". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  27. ↑ Erik Pedersen. "Barry Rothbart Collars 'Downward Dog' Gig; Anna Diop Joins OWN Drama 'Greenleaf' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  28. ↑ Denise Petski. "Terri J. Vaughn Joins 'Greenleaf'; Ellia English In 'Code Black' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  29. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (27 October 2016). "'Greenleaf': GregAlan Williams & Lovie Simone Upped To Regulars On OWN Drama". Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  30. ↑ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.21.2016 - Showbuzz Daily". Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  31. 1 2 "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.22.2016 - Showbuzz Daily". Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  32. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (June 30, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.29.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  33. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (July 7, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.6.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  34. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (July 14, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.13.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  35. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (July 21, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.20.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  36. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (July 28, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.27.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  37. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (August 4, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.3.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  38. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (August 11, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.10.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  39. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (August 18, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.17.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  40. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (August 25, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.24.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  41. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 1, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.31.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  42. 1 2 Ryan, Maureen (17 June 2016). "TV Review: 'Greenleaf'". Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  43. ↑ "'Greenleaf': TV Review". Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  44. ↑ "A soap opera that goes to church - The Boston Globe". Retrieved 18 June 2016.
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