Impact Network, the 100% Black-founded and operated independent multi-platform media company and the premier home for Black family entertainment has set the cast for its first original scripted series, “Highly Favored. " Impact Network Founder and CEO Wayne T. Jackson and Executive Vice President Royal W. Jackson announced this today.
 |
| KiKi Shepard |
 |
| Michael Colyar |
 |
| Bentley Kyle Evans |
Starring in the half-hour, multi-camera workplace comedy series are actor, comedian and author Michael Colyar (“Blackish,” “House Party III,” “The Princess & The Frog,” “Martin”), actress KiKi Shepard (“It’s Showtime at the Apollo,” “Miss Evers Boys,” “Mind Your Business,” “Grey's Anatomy”), actor Anthony S. Goolsby (“Will Trent,” “42”), actor Chico Benymon (“Half & Half,” “Ali,” “The Haunted Hathaways”), comedian and actor Rodney Perry (“Coming to America 2,” “Johnson Family Vacation”), and comedian and actress Melanie Comarcho (“Phat Tuesdays,” Snoop Dog’s “F*CN Around”). Colyar and Shepard also serve as producers.
 |
| Melanie Comarcho |
"With ‘Highly Favored,’ we are ushering in a new era of original storytelling at Impact Network. This series represents our commitment to creating impactful, positive narratives that connect with our audiences meaningfully,” commented Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, CEO & Founder of Impact Network.
 |
| Anthony S. Goolsby |
“We are proud to present a series that entertains and uplifts, inspiring audiences with stories that feel real, relevant, and true to who we are. The cast of ‘Highly Favored’ has embodied this vision, bringing these characters to life with performances that deeply resonate.” said Royal Jackson, Executive Vice President of Impact Network and series co-executive producer.
 |
| Chico Benymon |
“A great cast is the secret ingredient for any series. Michael, KiKi, Anthony, Chico, Rodney, and Melanie are consummate professionals with excellent comedic timing. I can’t wait for viewers to see this amazing ensemble,” said Bentley Kyle Evans, executive producer and showrunner.
 |
| Rodney Perry |
Rooted in humor, family, community, and a touch of the absurd, “Highly Favored” explores the clash between tradition and modernity through the point of view of the charismatic yet old-fashioned Pastor Michael Crawley (Michael Colyar).
Pastor Crawley faces the challenges of modernizing his Inglewood, CA-based church to keep up with the times while dealing with a quirky cast of characters and an outrageous but well-meaning family. He is a dynamic and charismatic Vietnam veteran turned old-school preacher, famous for his televised sermons. Despite being bombarded with technology and social media in all areas of his life, Crawley clings to traditional values and methods, still preferring pen and paper over a computer or texting from his phone. His relationship with Lavesta is the cornerstone of his life; he loves her unconditionally and goes to great lengths to keep her happy. With his sons Demarcus and MJ, Pastor navigates Demarcus’ ambition to be a pastor while dealing with MJ living at home with his daughter Brianna. Deacon Jones is the loyal best friend and sometimes bodyguard to Paster Crawley. Their friendship was solidified when they served in Vietnam together. Sister Sarah, one of the elders, is deeply entrenched in the tapestry of the church, playing a crucial role in maintaining order, fostering connections, and having the latest gossip.
First Lady Lavesta Crawley (Shepard) is the force behind Pastor Crawley and his pulpit. She is his ride-or-die, genuinely supportive of her husband, providing him unwavering love and encouragement. Levesta can be overbearing as a mother, but behind her glamorous exterior hides a woman fiercely dedicated to her family and her role as the esteemed First Lady.
Son Demarcus Crawley (Anthony S. Goolsby) is the holier-than-thou assistant pastor and the eldest son with ambitions to succeed his father as Pastor. But not if Crawley has any say in it.
Michael “MJ” Crawley, Jr. (Chico Benymon), is the younger prodigal son. A talented music producer who failed to hit the big time, MJ finds himself back under his parents’ roof, along with his daughter Brianna (Kali Rose Lewis), and at the organ accompanying the church choir.
Deacon Jones (Rodney Perry) met Pastor Crawley while serving in Vietnam. That bond solidified their friendship for life. At the church, Deacon is the pastor’s confidante, providing unwavering support and, at times, much-needed humor.
Sister Sarah (Melanie Comarcho) is a faithful church member who often goes toe-to-toe with the First Lady. She is also Lavesta’s best friend, loyalty personified, and loves the Crawleys as the family she never had.
An actor, comedian, motivational speaker, and author, Michael Colyar has been captivating audiences for almost five decades. His career as an entertainer began at Venice Beach, where he performed his comedy routine every weekend, 5 shows a day, for nine years straight, earning him the title the “King of Venice Beach.” He later went on to be a “Star Search” winner, donating 50% of his $100K prize to the homeless. Colyar is best known for his roles in “Blackish,” “House Party III,” “Norbit,” “The Princess & the Frog,” and his role as Mr. Whitaker on the hit, fan-favorite series, “Martin.” “Martin” is also where Colyar and executive producer Bentley Kyle Evans first worked together. Colyar still packs comedy clubs around the country each weekend. Additionally, he has his own weekly YouTube series - The Michael Colyar Morning Show.
KiKi Shepard is a veteran of stage, television, and film. A well-known dancer/choreographer, she lit up Broadway’s stages for over 10 years. Then, for her next act, she graced the stage of the legendary Apollo Theater as the co-host of NBC’s original “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” with hosts Steve Harvey, Mark Curry, Sinbad, and Rudy Rush for 15 years. Throughout her career, Shepard has appeared in various feature films, television shows, and videos, and her voice has been featured in cartoons and voiceovers. She is the Founder/Executive Director of the KIS Foundation, Inc., and has been a major advocate for raising awareness and promoting education of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) for 20 years. She recently appeared on “Grey’s Anatomy” as a corporate executive who helped a SCD patient obtain the newly funded gene therapy protocol…a major victory in education/social impact through her beloved entertainment industry.
Anthony S. Goolsby is a dynamic actor known for his compelling television, film, and theater performances. His credits feature hit series, including “She-Hulk” on Disney+, ABC’s “Will Trent,” “The Winchesters” on the CW, and “Leverage: Redemption” on Prime Video. His versatility has also earned him spots on BET’s “First Wives Club,” “Legacies” and “Johnson.” Beyond television, Goolsby’s film roles include “42” and “Christmas in the Pines.” He has also become a recognizable presence in commercials for Capital One, Amazon, and Geico.
An actor, singer, musician, and three-time NAACP Image Award-nominee, Chico Benymon is best known for playing Spencer, the best friend on the hit comedy series “Half & Half.” He also appeared on “Moesha,” “Ali,” and the series “The Haunted Hathaways.” Before he started acting, he was a singer in a group called Trā-Knox, which was a protege of Will Smith’s and was signed to his label. The group appeared on the “Wild, Wild, West” and “Men in Black II” soundtracks.
Rodney Perry is a stand-up comedy veteran who, in his early days, opened for George Lopez, Steve Harvey, and Cedric the Entertainer, to name a few. His comedy fame propelled him to TV, where he hosted comedy shows like “Who’s Got Jokes” and appeared in Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Big Happy Family.” He most recently appeared in “Coming to America 2.”
Born in Chicago, raised in Inglewood, CA, and is an Army veteran, Melanie Comarcho is one of the most sought-after comics in the country. She has toured with Martin Lawrence, Katt Williams, and Chris Tucker. She was the first stand-up comic that Chris Rock featured on his late-night talk show. Comarcho has made numerous appearances in comedy shows, including the iconic Def Comedy Jam series on HBO early in her career and, more recently, in the Amazon Original documentary series “Phat Tuesdays.” She most recently appeared in the Amazon Original documentary series “Phat Tuesdays," Snoop Dog's "F*CN Around" comedy special on Netflix, and is currently opening for Katt Williams on his "Heaven on Earth" tour.
With its rollout of new original programming and community initiatives and the recent launch of its Impact Gospel FAST channel, available on Allen Media Group’s Local Now and Mansa, among others, Impact Network is offering engaging, quality programming and experiences that enrich and entertain the Black family and community audiences across all generations and platforms.
About Impact Network
Impact Network is the premier home for Black family entertainment and is dedicated to offering the highest quality lifestyle programming, including movies, scripted and non-scripted series, and specials. Impact is a 100% Black-founded and operated multi-platform media company driven by family values and community. Established in 2010 by community leaders, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists Bishop Wayne T. Jackson and Dr. Beverly Y. Jackson, the company is defined by its legacy and mission to inform, empower, educate, and serve to positively impact the Black community. Based in Detroit, MI, the Impact Network is distributed in over 70% of US homes, broadcasting via cable and satellite systems across the United States on Comcast-Xfinity, Frontier, Cox, Time Warner, Spectrum, Charter, Spectrum, ATT-U-Verse, Verizon, Fios, Altice, DirecTV, DISH and expanding digitally. Impact Gospel is a FAST channel experience focusing primarily on gospel lifestyle entertainment and is currently available on Allen Media Group’s Local Now and Mansa. For more information, visit watchimpact.com and follow Impact at @watchimpactofficial.
About Harvest Studios
Harvest Studios, led by Bentley Kyle Evans and Trenten W. Gumbs, has been a powerhouse in comedy production for over 12 years. Known for bringing hundreds of sitcom episodes to a range of networks—including TV One, Bounce TV, ALLBLK, and the Impact Network—Harvest Studios has played a pivotal role in elevating Black talent and stories in Hollywood.
Evans, a seasoned showrunner with credits like the iconic "Martin" series (starring Martin Lawrence), co-founded Harvest Studios with Gumbs to create groundbreaking urban comedies. Their first major series, "Love That Girl" (featuring Tatyana Ali), aired 67 episodes on TV One. In 2012, Harvest expanded its influence by partnering with Bounce TV to produce two new popular sitcoms, "Family Time" (91 episodes) and "In The Cut" (87 episodes).
Harvest Studios has continued to innovate, joining forces with hip-hop legend MC Lyte to co-create *Partners N’ Rhyme*, a pilot acquired by the rebranded ALLBLK streaming service. With Evans as director, the series showcases Harvest Studios' dedication to amplifying Black voices and creating successful, culturally impactful television. Harvest Studios recently partnered with Impact Network to produce *Highly Favored*, marking Impact Network’s first venture into original series production. This collaboration highlights Harvest Studios' ongoing commitment to bringing fresh, dynamic content to diverse audiences, further solidifying its role as a leader in producing culturally significant television.
No comments:
Post a Comment