Tyler Perry continues to make waves in the entertainment industry, having delivered eight shows to BET/BET+, all of which have been successful without any cancellations.
His latest project, ‘Tyler Perry’s She the People,’ marks his first series comedy for Netflix, debuting on May 22 with an initial release of eight episodes, followed by another eight in August.
The show’s journey began when Vaughn, who moved to Atlanta in 2008, received financial backing to create a ‘proof of concept’ mini-pilot, thanks to the support of the film ‘Bottoms.’
After pitching to several production companies, Tyler Perry and Netflix offered the best deal, allowing Vaughn to take her vision to a wider audience.
Vaughn, well known for her role as Lovita Alizay Jenkins Robinson on ‘The Steve Harvey Show,’ has had a career spanning over three decades, with appearances on shows like UPN’s ‘All of Us’ and Perry’s ‘Meet the Browns.’
More recently, she has secured recurring roles on several networks, including OWN’s ‘Greenleaf’ and BET+’s ‘First Wives Club.’
‘However, this project represents a significant milestone, as it is Vaughn’s first leading role in a series.
Reflecting on her career, she stated, ‘I’ve worked really hard to get here. I’m living my dream.’
In ‘She the People,’ Vaughn plays Antoinette Dunkerson, the first Black female lieutenant governor of Mississippi.
Her character faces challenges as Governor Irwin Harper, portrayed by Robert Craighead, prefers to treat her as a figurehead rather than offering her real responsibilities.
The narrative also delves into her complicated family dynamics, including an ex-husband and two teenagers who are less than thrilled with her ambitions.
‘…she’s trying to create this perfect life, which is impossible,’ Vaughn explained.
The show captures the humorous struggle of a woman determined to navigate both her professional ambitions and family life, as she dreams of becoming governor one day.
The humor stems from the interplay between Antoinette and the governor’s office, where the men appear as ‘creeps,’ but off-camera, they are reportedly ‘the most beautiful human beings.’
Vaughn’s inspiration for the series initially came from London Breed, the first Black female mayor of San Francisco.
However, after Keisha Lance Bottoms took office as the mayor of Atlanta, Vaughn and her business partner Niya Palmer decided to set the show in Atlanta.
The show’s backdrop later shifted to Mississippi after Perry expressed interest in exploring the complexities of a Black woman in a political position.
Perry took narrative cues from Bottoms’ personal experiences to enrich the scripts, underlining how challenging such a role can be.
In a conversation with the AJC, Bottoms shared that she had been cultivating a goals list since 2009 and developing a TV show was part of it.
When Vaughn reached out to discuss the project, Bottoms eagerly accepted the breakfast meeting, which quickly extended into a lengthy discussion.
‘We met at the Four Seasons (in Midtown Atlanta) for breakfast and talked so long, it was lunchtime before we left,’ she recalled, expressing her immediate enthusiasm for the pitch.
Recognizing that many people are currently disillusioned with politics, Bottoms emphasized the need to showcase the colorful, humorous side of political life.
‘You’ll see how everyday folks make up our democracy, folks from all walks of life,’ she added.
Her collaboration with Perry has allowed her to witness the intricacies of filmmaking firsthand.
Bottoms appreciated being an outsider in Hollywood, believing that this lack of preconceived notions allowed her more freedom to be creative.
‘Ignorance is bliss,’ she stated, underscoring her belief in the project and her dedication to making it a reality.
As ‘She the People’ debuts, audiences can expect a mix of humor, political insight, and the relatable challenges of ambition within a family dynamic.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/arts-entertainment/2025/05/terri-vaughns-new-netflix-comedy-gets-boost-from-former-atlanta-mayor/
