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Jazz 91.9 WCLK | Membership Matters

OWN Announces New Original Drama ‘Delilah’ from 'Greenleaf' Creator Craig Wright

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today a straight-to-series order for the new original drama series “Delilah,” from acclaimed “Greenleaf” creator Craig Wright, who will serve as executive producer along with Charles Randolph-Wright and Oprah Winfrey.

Maahra Hill (“Black-ish,” “How to Get Away With Murder”) stars as Delilah Connolly, a headstrong, highly principled lawyer living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Delilah's doing her best to raise two kids alone and keep her ties to family, friends and faith strong, all the while ceaselessly seeking justice for those who need it most, in a time when the rich and powerful of Charlotte and beyond will do anything to stop her. Also joining the cast are Jill Marie Jones (“Girlfriends”) as Tamara Grayson, Delilah’s confidante and best friend; Susan Heyward (“Orange is the New Black”), who portrays Demetria Barnes, Delilah’s newly hired, fearless, and ambitious associate; and Ozioma Akagha (Marvel’s “Runaways”), who plays Delilah’s unfailingly sunny secretary, Harper Conant.

Award-winning directors Charles Randolph-Wright (“Greenleaf”) and Cheryl Dunye (“Queen Sugar,” “David Makes Man”) are set to direct the series, with additional directors to be announced. Dunye will direct the pilot episode.

The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Harpo Films, and will air on OWN in 2021.

“On the heels of the incredible success story of ‘Greenleaf,’ we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Craig on this compelling new drama,” said Tina Perry, president, OWN. “Our viewers are going to deeply relate to this story that focuses on a powerful woman committed to her family and her community.” 

“It’s an honor to work for Ms. Winfrey and OWN and to serve the network’s devoted fans. ‘Delilah’ continues the work we started on ‘Greenleaf,’ namely, bringing untold stories and fresh perspectives to our audience," said Craig Wright, creator/executive producer.

“Delilah” will join OWN’s slate of popular dramas that includes four of the top 15 original scripted cable series for African American women, “Queen Sugar,” “Cherish the Day,” “David Makes Man,” and “The Haves and the Have Nots.” Wright’s acclaimed drama “Greenleaf” ended its five-season run on Tuesday, August 11 on OWN ranking as the #1 most watched show on television for African American viewers.

In addition to creating and executive producing OWN’s hit drama series “Greenleaf,” Craig Wright is currently developing a spinoff of “Greenleaf” for OWN.  Wright served as writer and producer on “Lost” and “Six Feet Under,” and was supervising producer on the long-running series “Brothers and Sisters.” He was Emmy-nominated for his writing on “Six Feet Under,” and received three WGA Award nominations, winning the Dramatic Series award in 2004 for “Lost.” In addition, Wright was executive producer and writer for “Tyrant” and “Rush” and was consulting producer on “United States of Tara.” 

“Delilah” is produced for OWN by Warner Bros. Television and Harpo Films. The executive producers are Craig Wright, Charles Randolph-Wright, and Oprah Winfrey.

Ray Cornelius is one of Atlanta’s newest entertainment writers and media personalities. His arts and entertainment website, www.raycornelius.com spotlights the latest in “positive” African-American celebrity news and was established in 2012. Since that time Cornelius has covered a myriad of red carpet premieres, award shows and Atlanta-based films including Tyler Perry’s Temptation, The BronzeLens Film Festival, The Trumpet Awards, and The Steve Harvey’s Neighborhood Awards just to name a few. He has also interviewed a who’s who list of today’s top singers, actors and reality stars. With nearly 20 years of media experience, Cornelius has also worked as an associate producer for the Emmy-winning public affairs program, ATL Insider and with such award shows as The Soul Train Awards, The Trumpet Awards and BET Hip-Hop Awards.