The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is getting two new cast members and one of them is a familiar face.
Garcelle Beauvais, who was recently announced as a returning cast member for Coming 2 America, will be joining the franchise for its 10th season. Party planner Sutton Stracke will also be coming aboard.
Beauvais says she’s “excited and proud” to be joining the cast of the series, adding, “As a working actor who has been in the industry for some time, it’s exhilarating to have the opportunity to delve into a new chapter in the entertainment spectrum. As the first African American Housewife in the Beverly Hills franchise, I am honored and humbled by this awesome opportunity to exemplify the fact that Black Girl Magic lives and thrives in every zip code.”
This isn’t the only exciting entertainment news of the week. There’s casting news, renewals, and a festival announcement. Here’s more of the film and television news you should know.
HBO Renews A Black Lady Sketch Show
We’re getting another season of Robin Thede’s hilarious A Black Lady Sketch Show.
“It’s been thrilling to see the audience embrace the characters that Robin, Ashley, Gabrielle and Quinta have brought to life,” HBO Programming EVP Amy Gravitt said in a statement “We had a blast making this groundbreaking sketch show with Robin, Dime [Davis] and all of the writers and producers, and I can’t wait to see what next season holds.”
The American Black Film Festival Is Going Global
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is heading to the UK with the launch of the ABFF Global Film Series. The series will kick-off Septemeber 27, opening with Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson’s Black and Blue.
The series will also feature a preview screening of Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s autobiographical Farming, starring Damson Idris, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Kate Beckinsale.
How To Get Away With Murder Adds When They See Us Star Marsha Stephanie Blake
Marsha Stephanie Blake, who played Linda McCray in Ava DuVernay’s poignant When They See Us, has joined the sixth and final season of How To Get Away With Murder.
Blake’s role has been kept under wraps, but the final season of the series will see Annalise Keating’s (Viola Davis) students entering their final—and possibly deadliest—semester of law school.
Empire Showrunner Reveals Jamal’s Fate
Jussie Smollett’s Jamal will be going on a permanent honeymoon.
Empire showrunner Brett Mahoney told TVLine that Jamal and Kai (Toby Onwumere), who tied the knot in season five, will stay in London.
“Jamal is taking a sabbatical from the family. He doesn’t want to be caught up in Lyon family drama, which is very much in keeping with his point of view last season — that [the family business] should be something that the family moves away from,” Mahoney said. “Jamal and Kai have decided to stay in London.”
Fox CEO Charlie Collier confirmed over the summer that Smollett would not return to the series.