“Lost” writer and producer Craig Wright is teaming with Lionsgate on a new OWN megachurch drama series, “Greenleaf.”
Production is set to begin later this year.
“When I first read the script, I instantly felt an affinity for the characters and loved Craig’s creative vision for a fictional drama on an epic scale,” OWN founder Oprah Winfrey said. “This show is going to be a fun ride and will hopefully have viewers on the edge of their pews week after week.”
“With its singular take on a world rarely seen and a fascinating family at its core, ‘Greenleaf’ has all the makings of a highly addictive drama that embodies the kind of provocative high quality entertainment we champion at Lionsgate,” added Kevin Beggs, chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. “We’re thrilled to be working with Oprah and Craig and proud to be part of OWN’s expansion in scripted programming.”
“To tell this potentially explosive story with Oprah, a partner who has as much respect and affection for the church as I do, whose entire body of work is infused with what I would call a faith-based humanism, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Wright stated. “A blessing, even.”
Here is the official series’ description of the show:
Like so many megachurches in America, Greenleaf is more than just a house of worship. It’s a home. It’s 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 — a multigenerational matrix of deception that involves the church’s founding family, but also extends to the congregation and prominent members of the Memphis community and beyond. Yet, amidst all of the mayhem and deception, the power of something greater persists, calling everyone to conscience for their sins.
“Greenleaf” is produced for OWN by Lionsgate. Executive producers are Winfrey and Wright, who is a former minister.
The deal was brokered by WME, which represents both.