Morris Chestnut has been tapped for a leading role in Fox’ newest drama series Our Kind of People, from writer and executive producer Karin Gist (she’s earned executive producer credits on Star, Mixed-ish, and Grey’s Anatomy) and executive producer Lee Daniels (he produced and directed The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Empire, and Star). Based on Lawrence Otis Graham’s 1999 critically-acclaimed nonfiction novel Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class, the show is set to focus on the affluence and class politics of upper echelon Black families and is joining the network’s fall lineup after receiving a straight-to-series order.
Written by Gist, the show will take place in the fictitious world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, where well-to-do Black folks have historically vacationed for over 50 years. “Our Kind of People is a soapy, thrilling exploration of race and class in America and an unapologetic celebration of Black resilience and achievement – all daringly told by a team we’ve been eager to get back in business with,” said Michael Thorn, President of Entertainment for FOX Entertainment, in a statement to Deadline. “There are no better storytellers than Karin Gist and Lee Daniels to bring Lawrence Otis Graham’s seminal work to life.” As DaCosta plays Angela Vaughn, a strong-willed single mother with aspiration to reclaim her family’s name and legacy while juggling a revolutionary natural hair care line, Chestnut will star opposite her as Raymond Dupont, the husband of Angela’s archnemesis Leah. Raymond is a top executive at a food conglomerate who is struggling to revive his company. For his daughter, he’s a bedrock of comfort but with his son, he is wrestling with a polar relationship.
Chestnut will continue as a recurring role, rather than a series regular, on FOX’s medical drama The Resident for its likely Season 5 renewal. He is also set to reprise his role as Lance Sullivan in the limited series The Best Man: The Final Chapters, a spinoff coming to Peacock based on the 1999 flagship film, The Best Man.
