Our Kind of People

***Our Kind of People*** is an upcoming American drama series, created by Karin Gist. It is based on the 1999 book of the same name by Lawrence Otis Graham. It will premiere on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 on FOX.

## Synopsis

Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s provocative, critically acclaimed book, “Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class,” the series takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful black elite have come to play for over 50 years. OUR KIND OF PEOPLE follows a strong-willed, single mom as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of black women. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her own mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up this community forever. The show is a soapy, thrilling exploration of race and class in America and an unapologetic celebration of black resilience and achievement.

## Cast

### Main

* Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn
* Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont
* Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont
* Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin
* Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn
* Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont
* Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont
* Lance Gross as Tyrique Freeman

### Recurring

* Debbi Morgan as Patricia "Aunt Piggy" Williams
* L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Sturgess Dupont
* Raven Goodwin as Josephine
* Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor
* Melissa De Sousa as Alex Rivera
* McKinley Freeman as Nate

## Production

### Development

In September 2017, it was announced that Wendy Calhoun will write and executive produce a drama series based on the book "Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class," which was ordered by Fox. Ben Silverman and Montrel McKay, who were executive producers, they came back as executive producers on the 2021 series.

On August 6, 2019, it was announced that *Our Kind Of People*, based on Lawrence Otis Graham's book Our Kind Of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class, is being developed by Fox in collaboration with Karin Gist and Lee Daniels' Lee Daniels Entertainment. Gist executive produces via TheGistOfIt, along with Daniels, Pam Williams, Marc Velez for Lee Daniels Entertainment, Howard T Owens, Jay Weisleder, Drew Buckley, Ben Silverman and Rodney Ferrell exec produce for Propagate and Electus as well as McKay.

On September 29, 2020, Fox Entertainment is preparing to launch a writers room for the series in the hopes of landing a straight-to-series order for the 2021-22 season. On March 29, 2021, the project was officially handed a series order by Fox. Making it the first new Fox drama series ordered for the 2021-22 season and the first series to come out of the network’s script-to-series model, which involves the opening of a writers room.

May 11, 2021, it was announced Tasha Smith has been tapped to direct the pilot and second episode of the series. August 6, 2021, Keesha Sharp set to an episode of the series.

### Casting

May 12, 2021, Yaya DaCosta was set as the lead of the series. May 17, 2021, Morris Chestnut joined Yaya DaCosta as the male lead. May 27, 2021, Alana Bright joined the series as a lead. In June 2021, LeToya Luckett, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Joe Morton, Kyle Bary, Lance Gross joined the series leads while Debbi Morgan, L. Scott Caldwell were cast in major recurring roles. July 1, 2021, Nadine Ellis replaced LeToya Luckett who had been originally cast in the role of Leah. In August 2021, Raven Goodwin & Nicole Chanel Williams joined in recurring roles. On October 6, 2021, Melissa De Sousa and McKinley Freeman were set for recurring roles in the series.

### Filming

Filming on the series began in July 7, 2021 and conclude on November 24, 2021 in Wilmington, North Carolina.

## Multimedia

### Images

* Promotional Images
* Posters
* Character Portraits

### Videos

First Look- Season 1 - OUR KIND OF PEOPLEOur Kind of People Season 1 Teaser - 'This Is Oak Bluffs' - Rotten Tomatoes TVOur Kind of People Season 1 First Look - Rotten Tomatoes TV
## References

1. ↑ Fox Developing Drama Based on Book ‘Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class’ (EXCLUSIVE)
2. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’ Drama Inspired By Book In Works At Fox With Karin Gist & Lee Daniels
3. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’ Drama From Karin Gist & Lee Daniels Opens Writers Room, Eyes Fox Straight-To-Series Order
4. ↑ Karin Gist & Lee Daniels’ ‘Our Kind Of People’ Greenlighted Under Fox’s Script-To-Series Model
5. ↑ Tasha Smith To Direct First Two Episodes Of Fox Drama Series ‘Our Kind Of People’
6. ↑ Keesha Sharp To Direct Episodes Of ‘Our Kind Of People’, ‘Charmed’ & ‘Superman & Lois’
7. ↑ Yaya DaCosta To Headline ‘Our Kind Of People’ Fox Drama Series Following ‘Chicago Med’ Exit
8. ↑ Morris Chestnut Joins Yaya DaCosta In ‘Our Kind Of People’ Fox Drama Series, Will Recur On ‘The Resident’
9. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: Newcomer Alana Bright To Co-Star In Fox Drama Series
10. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: LeToya Luckett To Co-Star In Fox Drama Series
11. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: Rhyon Nicole Brown To Co-Star In Fox Drama Series
12. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: Joe Morton To Co-Star In Fox Drama Series
13. ↑ https://deadline.com/2021/06/our-kind-of-people-kyle-bary-fox-drama-series-regular-1234779554/
14. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: Lance Gross Joins Fox Drama As Series Regular
15. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: Debbi Morgan Joins Fox Drama Series As Recurring
16. ↑ L. Scott Caldwell Joins Fox’s ‘Our Kind Of People’ In Major Recurring Role
17. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: Nadine Ellis To Star In Fox Drama Series After Recasting
18. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: Raven Goodwin & Nicole Chanel Williams Join Fox Drama Series As Recurring
19. ↑ ‘Our Kind Of People’: Melissa De Sousa & McKinley Freeman Join Fox Drama As Recurring
20. ↑ Film and TV Projects Going Into Production