Bobby Brown has had a life and BET—trying to re-create the magic (and ratings) of The New Edition Story—is ready to tell it.
Every little step of it.
The two-part biopic, set to air in fall 2018, reportedly picks up where The New Edition Story leaves off and spans Robert Barisford Brown’s 30 years in entertainment. Since the NE series posted record ratings for BET, the network is not messing with the formula.
Deadline reports that Bobby’s solo venture will be written by Abdul Williams and executive-produced by Jesse Collins. Woody McClain, the actor who (flawlessly) portrayed him in the NE story, will reprise his role as the “King of R&B.”
The series promises to cover “everything,” from Brown’s humble beginnings in the projects of Roxbury, Mass., to his relationship with Janet Jackson; his leaving New Edition to start his solo career; and, of course, his tumultuous, drug-fueled marriage to pop princess Whitney Houston and the tragic life and death of their only daughter, Bobbi Kristina.
Although the lead part has been named, casting is still reportedly underway for actors to fill the roles of Whitney, Janet, Bobbi Kristina, Teddy Riley, L.A. Reid, Babyface and others.
And unlike that Bobbi Kristina disaster, this movie might be one for the books if they get it right again. (And can we get a cameo of Wood Harris as Brook Payne? He should have won an Oscar for that role.)