Exclusive: Oprah Winfrey on How the Dysfunctional Stories From Her Talk Show Help Inform 'Greenleaf'
Oprah Winfrey tells Et that the 25 years of dysfunctional stories heard on her former talk show are helping flesh out the characters on her new Own series, Greenleaf.
"One of the things that informs me so much is all of the years of doing The Oprah Show," Winfrey told Et during a trip to the Greenleaf set in Atlanta. "It was like living in a life classroom where you're faced with every single dysfunction every single day. Being able to take some of those dysfunctional stories that people actually shared with me and our audience and be able to incorporate them into the lives of our characters is fantastic!"
Watch: Oprah Winfrey on Her Return to Acting in 'Greenleaf'
The series centers on disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge), who has returned home to her estranged family after 20 years. As she re-enters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis...
"One of the things that informs me so much is all of the years of doing The Oprah Show," Winfrey told Et during a trip to the Greenleaf set in Atlanta. "It was like living in a life classroom where you're faced with every single dysfunction every single day. Being able to take some of those dysfunctional stories that people actually shared with me and our audience and be able to incorporate them into the lives of our characters is fantastic!"
Watch: Oprah Winfrey on Her Return to Acting in 'Greenleaf'
The series centers on disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge), who has returned home to her estranged family after 20 years. As she re-enters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis...
- 11/22/2016
- Entertainment Tonight
After 20 years of estrangement, and the recent — and mysterious — death of her sister, Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge) returns home with her teen daughter to her family’s sprawling Memphis megachurch, Calvary Fellowship World Ministries. Grace’s father, Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David), warmly welcomes his daughter and granddaughter, but tensions quickly rise. The series airs Wednesdays beginning tomorrow. [...]
The post Tuesday, June 21: Own’s Greenleaf Preaches It appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post Tuesday, June 21: Own’s Greenleaf Preaches It appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 6/21/2016
- by Channel Guide Staff
- ChannelGuideMag
Oprah Winfrey called famed Christian leader Bishop T.D. Jakes to assure him that the villainous megachurch leader in her upcoming Own drama series “Greenleaf” was in no way modeled on the Dallas-based preacher. “The only resemblance is that our main character is named ‘Bishop’ and your name is ‘Bishop,'” Winfrey said Wednesday following a press screening of the show’s pilot at Soho House in West Hollywood. The new show’s lead character, Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David), is the shady patriarch of a sprawling, uber-wealthy, scandal-suppressing, unfaithful, feuding family that runs a corporate megachurch in Memphis, Tennessee. Also Read: Oprah Winfrey to Star.
- 5/27/2016
- by Mikey Glazer
- The Wrap
What do you get when the producer and writer behind Six Feet Under and Lost teams up with Oprah Winfrey? A dysfunctional Christian family that may or may not be laundering money, of course!
After almost two decades of starring in films and as guest stars in series, Oprah returns to her acting chops in Greenleaf as the recurring character Mavis McCready, the aunt of the main character Grace Greenleaf, played by Merle Dandridge. Also starring in the series include Keith David as Grace’s father — biologically and religiously– Bishop James Greenleaf, Lynn Whitfield as James’ wife Mae, Kim Hawthorne as Grace’s sister Kerissa, and Lamman Rucker as her brother Jacob.
Set to debut on the Oprah Winfrey Network on June 21, the series follows Grace as she returns home after her aunt’s death to stay for the weekend. While there, she falls in love with the church again,...
After almost two decades of starring in films and as guest stars in series, Oprah returns to her acting chops in Greenleaf as the recurring character Mavis McCready, the aunt of the main character Grace Greenleaf, played by Merle Dandridge. Also starring in the series include Keith David as Grace’s father — biologically and religiously– Bishop James Greenleaf, Lynn Whitfield as James’ wife Mae, Kim Hawthorne as Grace’s sister Kerissa, and Lamman Rucker as her brother Jacob.
Set to debut on the Oprah Winfrey Network on June 21, the series follows Grace as she returns home after her aunt’s death to stay for the weekend. While there, she falls in love with the church again,...
- 4/29/2016
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
Own, the Oprah Winfrey Network releases the first trailer for its new original drama series Greenleaf from Lionsgate TV and Emmy-nominated writer/producer Craig Wright (Lost, Six Feet Under, Brothers and Sisters). And in a word — powerful. The series centers on the return of estranged daughter and disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge, “The Night Shift”) to her family home after 20 years. The prodigal daughter’s homecoming is due to her sister’s mysterious death. As she reenters the world of the Memphis megachurch run by her powerful parents Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David, Enlisted and Community) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Lynn … Continue reading →
The post First Look: Trailer for Own’s New Mega-Church Drama, “Greenleaf” appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post First Look: Trailer for Own’s New Mega-Church Drama, “Greenleaf” appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 3/16/2016
- by Kellie Freeze
- ChannelGuideMag
Stars: Clint Howard, R.G. Armstrong, Joe Cortese, Claude Earl Jones, Haywood Nelson, Don Stark, Charles Tyner, Hamilton Camp, Louie Gravance, Jim Greenleaf, Lynn Hancock, Loren Lester | Written by Eric Weston, Joseph Garofalo | Directed by Eric Weston
From the 1970’s and 80’s to now, one thing will always be a sad constant: bullies will always exist. And there will always be that weak-willed teenager who is the constant target of these awful people. But, there’s always this fulfillment that comes about from films like Patrick and Carrie, that the bullied kid has a tendency to lash out at those who oppress them with otherworldly forces. These kids search outward for any escape and that leads them to some very dark corners. In the case of Evilspeak, that dark corner is The Devil himself, and the results are typically gory and fantastically outrageous.
Put simply, Evilspeak, is about a thousand pounds...
From the 1970’s and 80’s to now, one thing will always be a sad constant: bullies will always exist. And there will always be that weak-willed teenager who is the constant target of these awful people. But, there’s always this fulfillment that comes about from films like Patrick and Carrie, that the bullied kid has a tendency to lash out at those who oppress them with otherworldly forces. These kids search outward for any escape and that leads them to some very dark corners. In the case of Evilspeak, that dark corner is The Devil himself, and the results are typically gory and fantastically outrageous.
Put simply, Evilspeak, is about a thousand pounds...
- 1/21/2016
- by Nathan Smith
- Nerdly
Oprah Winfrey‘s next small-screen gig will, unfortunately, not include any free cars for the home audience.
The former daytime TV staple will recur on Greenleaf, Own’s upcoming drama about the powerful Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful.
RelatedOprah Winfrey to Co-Star in New Own Drama from Selma Director
The cast also includes Keith David (Community) as Bishop James Greenleaf, the charming but manipulative leader of Greenleaf World Ministries; Lynn Whitfield (How to Get Away With Murder) as his steely, money-hungry wife, Lady Mae Greenleaf; Merle Dandridge...
The former daytime TV staple will recur on Greenleaf, Own’s upcoming drama about the powerful Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful.
RelatedOprah Winfrey to Co-Star in New Own Drama from Selma Director
The cast also includes Keith David (Community) as Bishop James Greenleaf, the charming but manipulative leader of Greenleaf World Ministries; Lynn Whitfield (How to Get Away With Murder) as his steely, money-hungry wife, Lady Mae Greenleaf; Merle Dandridge...
- 9/24/2015
- TVLine.com
Oprah Winfrey has tapped herself for a recurring role in the upcoming original scripted drama series, "Greenleaf," that's in development at her self-titled cable TV network, Own. The project hails from Craig Wright ("Six Feet Under," "Lost"), and will follow "the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful." Clement Virgo is executive producing as well as directing the first episode of the series. Winfrey will join the previously cast: Keith David, who will star, playing Bishop James Greenleaf, the charming and...
- 9/24/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Oprah Winfrey will appear in a recurring role on her new Own Network series “Greenleaf,” the company announced Thursday. Keith David, Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge, Lamman Rucker, Deborah Joy Winans, Tye White, Kim Hawthorne and Desiree Ross star in the drama produced by Lionsgate TV. The series follows Bishop James Greenleaf (David), the charming and charismatic but brilliantly manipulative leader of Greenleaf World Ministries. Also Read: 'The Hundred-Foot Journey' Premiere: Stars Helen Mirren, Om Puri Join Producers Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey on Red Carpet Winfrey will play Mavis McCready, the sister of Lady Mae Greenleaf (Whitfield) and a close confidante of estranged Greenleaf.
- 9/24/2015
- by Linda Ge
- The Wrap
Clement Virgo has been tapped by Oprah Winfrey's Own network to executive produce as well as direct the first episode of the upcoming original scripted drama series, "Greenleaf," which hails from Craig Wright ("Six Feet Under," "Lost"), and will follow "the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful. Keith David will star in the series, playing Bishop James Greenleaf, the charming and charismatic but brilliantly manipulative leader of Greenleaf World Ministries; Lynn Whitfield has been cast to play Bishop Greenleaf’s wife Lady Mae,...
- 9/14/2015
- by Courtney
- ShadowAndAct
Keith David has booked the lead role in Own’s upcoming original scripted drama series "Greenleaf," which hails from Craig Wright ("Six Feet Under," "Lost"), and will follow "the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful. Greenleaf described is the center of the community for the thousands of predominantly African-American members who attend services there. But beneath its steeple lies a den of iniquity — greed, adultery, sibling rivalry and conflicting values." David will play Bishop James Greenleaf, the charming and charismatic but...
- 9/4/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Keith David (Community, Enlisted) will topline Greenleaf, Own's megachurch drama series from Craig Wright and Lionsgate TV. The straight-to-series drama focuses on the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful. Emmy winner David will play Bishop James Greenleaf, the charming and charismatic but brilliantly manipulative leader of Greenleaf World Ministries. He joins…...
- 9/3/2015
- Deadline TV
Stars: Clint Howard, R.G. Armstrong, Joe Cortese, Claude Earl Jones, Haywood Nelson, Don Stark, Charles Tyner, Hamilton Camp, Louie Gravance, Jim Greenleaf, Lynn Hancock, Loren Lester | Written by Eric Weston, Joseph Garofalo | Directed by Eric Weston
From the 1970’s and 80’s to now, one thing will always be a sad constant: bullies will always exist. And there will always be that weak-willed teenager who is the constant target of these awful people. But, there’s always this fulfillment that comes about from films like Patrick and Carrie, that the bullied kid has a tendency to lash out at those who oppress them with otherworldly forces. These kids search outward for any escape and that leads them to some very dark corners. In the case of Evilspeak, that dark corner is The Devil himself, and the results are typically gory and fantastically outrageous.
Put simply, Evilspeak, is about a thousand pounds...
From the 1970’s and 80’s to now, one thing will always be a sad constant: bullies will always exist. And there will always be that weak-willed teenager who is the constant target of these awful people. But, there’s always this fulfillment that comes about from films like Patrick and Carrie, that the bullied kid has a tendency to lash out at those who oppress them with otherworldly forces. These kids search outward for any escape and that leads them to some very dark corners. In the case of Evilspeak, that dark corner is The Devil himself, and the results are typically gory and fantastically outrageous.
Put simply, Evilspeak, is about a thousand pounds...
- 5/27/2014
- by Nathan Smith
- Nerdly
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