TV One officially announced MEDIA, an original movie exploring the drama and secrets behind a powerful family dynasty, during its presentation at the Television Critics Association's Summer Tour at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California today. The executive producing team of Cathy Hughes and her production partner Susan Banks conceived and produced the project. MEDIA is a riveting story of a wealthy family battling the competitive challenges of keeping their status and position in the communications industry. The drama is the latest addition to the network's impressive slate of original films and is set to premiere in early 2017.
Passion, intrigue and murder become a lethal recipe for a powerful matriarch Jackie Jones and her children in this captivating urban production. Portrayed by Penny Johnson Jerald (Castle, 24), Jackie is the founder of Jones Universal Media Properties, known as JUMP, the world's premier urban media conglomerate. A family tragedy forces her son, prominent lead city attorney and prosecutor Michael Jones, played by Brian White (Scandal, Chicago Fire, Stomp the Yard), to abandon his political aspirations and take over the company just as a ruthless rival challenges JUMP's longtime domination of this lucrative industry.
"I am honored to portray this character and that Cathy Hughes trusted me to headline a project that she is so passionate about," commented White. "There are few movies that show all shades and sides of the political and economic spectrums, in particular, films featuring persons of color, without catering to one side. Here we see everyone represented and every character has a purpose in this unique story. This family didn't come from wealth; they built it."
When Michael Jones (White) steps up to run the company, he is confronted by the sins of the past, and the dangers of the present when Gary Dourdan (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Jumping the Broom, Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story) as Jabbar Randolph, CEO of JUMP's biggest competitor, is released from prison. Grabbing back the reigns from his brother, Will, played by Stephen Bishop (Being Mary Jane, Moneyball, Battleship), he embarks on a mission of revenge,
BETRAYAL and corporate intrigue.
The Jones family, rounded out by the eldest son, Clay Jones portrayed by Pooch Hall (The Game, Ray Donovan) as the mercurial head of
THE FAMILY business; Chrystee Pharris (Passions, Scrubs) as the only daughter, Crystal Jones, JUMP's CFO, and hard-partying youngest brother Anthony Jones portrayed by Blue Kimble (Devious Maids, Fast Five) are caught in a deadly game of espionage,
DECEPTION and survival.
When Michael (White) stands accused of a brutal crime,
THE FAMILY must band together to beat the forces gathering against them. MEDIA is an exhilarating peek behind the scenes of a glamorous but fiercely competitive world.
"This storyline has been in the works for over six years and I am thrilled to finally bring it to our audience," said Hughes. "My entire life has been dedicated to creating media outlets to entertain and inspire our community. We know our audience loves drama and that's what MEDIA is all about."
"MEDIA captures the power struggles, secrets and
STAKES surrounding a family-owned business," added
TV One President Brad Siegel. "The outstanding cast and production team delivered on a truly excellent script. We are ecstatic with how it turned out and confident viewers will be riveted from the first minute of the movie to the end titles."
TV One's MEDIA also features Finesse Mitchell (Roadies, SNL, Brothers in Atlanta) as DJ Drive, JUMP's most valuable asset; Denise Boutte (Meet the Browns, For the Love of Ruth) as Danielle Jones, Michael's elegant, neglected wife; Jimmy Gonzales (Taken 3, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For) as Silvan Testa, a corrupt TV producer willing to resort to any means necessary to succeed; Stelio Savante (The Making of the Mob: New York, Ugly Betty) as Harold Boston, an underworld powerbroker sent to prison; Jillian Reeves de Ortiz (Let's Talk, The 12th Night) as Gisele Marks, a resourceful and aggressive businesswoman whose personal life is undermining her professional accomplishments; Jasmine Kaur as Sofia Perez, JUMP'S General Counsel and longtime family friend, and Diane Kirby (Returned) as Steph, DJ Drive's quick-witted on-air sidekick.
Rounding out the ensemble are Finesse Mitchell (Roadies, SNL, Brothers in Atlanta) as DJ Drive, JUMP's most valuable asset; Jimmy Gonzales (Taken 3, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For) as Silvan Testa, a corrupt TV producer willing to resort to any means necessary to succeed; Jillian Reeves de Ortiz (Let's Talk, The 12th Night) as Gisele Marks, a resourceful and aggressive businesswoman whose personal life is undermining her professional accomplishments; and Diane Kirby (Returned) as Steph, DJ Drive's quick-witted on-air sidekick.
MEDIA is executive produced by Radio One Founder and Chairperson Cathy Hughes and her production partner Susan Banks (Fright Night Files, Fear Files, Second Sight), Kevin Arkadie (New York Undercover, Soul Food, The Shield), who also served as writer, Sheila Ducksworth (With This Ring, Why We Laugh: Funny Women) and was produced for
TV One by Ducksworth Productions. Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd, CSA, served as casting director. MEDIA is directed by Craig Ross, Jr. (Rise Again, NCIS, Bones, Motives).
For TV One, Lamar Chase is Executive in Charge-of- Production and Director of Original Programming; Donyell McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting; Robyn Greene-Arrington is VP of Original Programming; and D'Angela Proctor is Head of Original Programming. MEDIA was filmed on location in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information about TV One's original movies, visit the network's companion website at www.tvone.tv.
TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hashtag #MEDIA and catch clips and promos on TV One's
Youtube Channel.
ABOUT TV ONE: Launched in January 2004,
TV One (www.tvone.tv) serves 57 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies and music designed to entertain and inform a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. The network is the exclusive home of NewsOne Now, the only live daily news program targeting Black viewers. In December 2008, the company launched
TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households.
TV One is solely owned by Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK, www.radio-one.com], the largest radio company that primarily targets Black and urban listeners.
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