Fox adds yet another stunning series to its 2021 lineup of premieres, adding the newest series Our Kind of People to the list.
The network has teamed up with Karin Gist (Mixed-Ish, Girlfriends, Revenge) and Lee Daniels, who have also previously worked together on hits like Star, for this series adaptation of Lawrence Otis Graham’s 1999 book titled Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class.
Plans for this series were already in the works back in 2017 but with a completely different writing and producing team. However, it was announced in August 2019 that Gist and Lee would be taking over.
After being pushed back due to the pandemic, Fox opened up the writer’s room for the series in September 2020 and in March this year, Our Kind of People received a series order.
Following the release of the show’s first look teaser trailer and confirmation of its September 21, 2021 premiere date, here’s everything we know about Fox’s Our Kind of People so far!
Who’s in charge of the show?
Gist is executive producing with Claire Brown under her TheGistOfIt banner, alongside Daniels, Pam Williams, and Marc Velez from Lee Daniels Entertainment.
Propagate’s Ben Silverman and Montrel McKay, who were already attached to the first attempt at the series in 2017, are also executive producing with Howard T. Owens, Jay Weisleder, and Rodney Ferrell.
Actress Tasha Smith is set to direct the first two episodes while fellow actress Keesha Sharpe has also been tapped to direct another.
Gist is under an overall deal with 20th Television, in cooperation with Fox Entertainment.
What’s Our Kind of People about?
Our Kind of People takes place in the town of Oak Bluffs, on the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The town is known to be a central part of African American history.
Fox describes it as “a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful black elite have come to play for over 50 years.”
Here is the rest of Fox’s official logline for the show: Our Kind of People “…follows a strong-willed, single mom as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of black women. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her own mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up this community forever. The show is a soapy, thrilling exploration of race and class in America and an unapologetic celebration of black resilience and achievement.”
Who are we going to see?
In the powerful lead role of Angela Vaughn is Chicago Med alum Yaya DeCosta, while her fearless and artistic daughter Nikki will be played by Alana Bright in her very first role in professional acting!
Raymond Dupont, a wealthy business executive in the food business, will be played by Morris Chestnut, and his wife Leah, a businesswoman at the top of the elite tower in Martha’s Vineyard, will be played by Nadine Ellis.
Meanwhile, their daughter Lauren will be played by Rhyon Nicole Brown, and her twin brother Quincy will be played by Kyle Bary.
Rounding out the cast are Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin, Leah’s father; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Sturgess Dupont, Raymond’s mother; Lance Gross as Tyrique Freeman, a member of the elite community and Angela’s potential love interest; Debbi Morgan in a recurring role as Patricia Williams, Angela’s Aunt Piggy; Raven Goodwin as Angela’s old college roommate and friend Josephine and Nicole Chanel Williams as Lauren’s best-friend Taylor.
Our Kind of People is premiering the first of its 12 episodes at 9 pm on Fox, on September 21, 2021!