#BET is recreating an era with its new show “American Soul.” The series is based on the life and career of #SoulTrain creator #DonCornelius.
Among the show’s star cast, BET has found its #DianaRoss in #MichelleWilliams, @Deadline reports. Producers have also cast #BobbyBrown, #KMichelle and #GabrielleDennis. #KellyRowland is already set to play #GladysKnight.
American Soul is slated to premiere with back-to-back episodes on February 5th in the U.S., before the show’s international rollout on February 7th.
In the show, Michelle’s storyline involves her legendary Diana Ross character being impressed by Don Cornelius, who is courting her to appear on his new show, “but she hasn’t quite decided if she will accept his offer yet.
Bobby Brown will play soul singer Rufus Thomas, who is known for the classic soul song, “Do the Funky Chicken.”
Gabrielle Dennis, who played Whitney Houston in BET’s “The Bobby Brown Story,” will play Tina Turner. Her storyline involves Tina Turner enjoying a hugely successful career with her husband as “Ike & Tina Turner” as they perform “Proud Mary” on Soul Train.
“A true professional, Tina chronically suffers at the hands of Ike”, played by “Hit the Floor” actor McKinley Freeman. “…but you’d never know her pain by the love she shows onstage through her music. A high maintenance talent who makes a lot of demands on management, Ike also intends to help Don turn Soul Train into a club and franchise. He doesn’t bother to hide his behavior towards his wife.”
K. Michelle will play Martha Reeves, the R&B pop singer who led the band, Martha and The Vandellas.
They all join previously announced cast member Sinqua Walls, who will play a young Don Cornelius. Other big names on the bill include Grammy-nominee Kelly Price, Jason Dirden, Iantha Richardson, Christopher Jefferson, Katlyn Nichol, and Jelani Winston.
#Roommates, will you be watching BET’s new show? Let us know!
TSR STAFF: Christina C! @cdelafresh
