Alright, y’all, get ready because Starz is seriously cooking up something special, and the cast for their upcoming Black rodeo drama set in Southeast Texas is shaping up to be ‘dope,’ no cap! The network just dropped the news about some fresh faces joining the ensemble, adding even more star power to a series that promises to be a wild ride. This untitled **Black Rodeo Drama** has already garnered an eight-episode order back in April, signaling Starz is all in on this authentic slice of American culture.
Among the newly announced talent, Shannon Wallace, known from ‘Diarra From Detroit,’ is stepping into the boots of Sebastian Clarke, a former bull-riding champion whose career took a tumble after a near-fatal arena accident. Talk about drama, for real! Joining him is Curtiss Cook, a familiar face from ‘The Chi,’ who will portray Elias Clarke, the estranged father of the Clarke siblings and a co-founder of the family rodeo. According to the report, Elias is returning from prison, aiming to mend fences and earn back his children’s trust. Sounds like a whole lot of family baggage is about to hit the fan, and we are here for it.
But the cast doesn’t stop there. Lauren E. Banks, fresh off ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves,’ takes on the role of Wynter, Sebastian’s ex-wife who, as the article states, is ready to carve out her own path. Liv Symone, who graced ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan,’ plays Jojo Calhoun, a talented rapper and the younger sister to local bull riding sensation Julius. And rounding out this killer lineup is Jason Dirden, also from ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan,’ as Greg Reagan, a respected District Court judge and husband to Anaya, who’s got a carefully hidden past. Each character brings layers of complexity, promising a legit interwoven narrative.
These new additions join an already solid crew, including DeWanda Wise as Anaya Clarke-Reagan, Tian Richards as Rodney Clarke, and Marcus Emanuel Mitchell as Julius Calhoun. This series isn’t just another show; it’s a significant move for Starz. As the second self-owned series following its 2025 spinoff from Lionsgate, this drama underscores Starz’s commitment to building a robust catalog of proprietary content. Their first self-owned series, the British boxing drama ‘Fightland’ executive produced by Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, premiered in July, setting a high bar for this new strategic direction.
Behind the scenes, the creative muscle is just as strong. Kirk A. Moore is at the helm as showrunner and executive producer, ensuring this story is told right. He’s joined by a squad of executive producers, including Mark Johnson and Myki Bajaj of Gran Via Productions, plus Tony Hernandez, Elise Henderson, and Lilly Burns from Counterpart Studios. Overseeing this whole production for Starz are Giovanna Desselle, Vice President of Original Programming, and Christina Jokanovich, Senior Vice President of Original Programming. This team is clearly ‘on point’ to deliver a compelling series.
This Starz project is lowkey a big deal, bringing a fresh and authentic perspective to the screen. Highlighting the world of Black rodeo in Southeast Texas is something that truly ‘hits different’ in the current TV landscape. It’s an opportunity to explore rich cultural narratives that often get overlooked, showcasing the grit, passion, and legacy within this vibrant community. It’s giving us all the feels, and we’re stoked to see how this powerful story unfolds. Get ready to saddle up, because this one is going to be straight up incredible.
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Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
