Two months ago, BET Networks announced its programming schedule for the upcoming 2016/2017 TV season at its annual Upfront presentation, which included new original scripted series, movies, as well as reality series, and the network’s returning hits.

One of the new original scripted series that was announced hails from John Singleton and is titled “Rebel.”

BET describes the series as a police drama that examines the unique and conflicted relationship officers of color have with their jobs – at a time when police forces are rife with brutality and misconduct.

At the center of the narrative is Oakland police officer, Rebecca “Rebel” Cole, who has always excelled by playing by the rules. She has always known that she must be better and smarter on the job because she is both black and female. After her brother is slain by police, Rebel soon becomes disillusioned with the system and is forced to take matters into her own hands and become a private investigator and a champion for her community. Caught between family loyalty and the fraternity in blue, Rebel’s actions set in motion a cause-and-effect crisis that can’t be undone.

Dallas Jackson also serves as Executive Producer.

BET has now set the series’ cast, tapping Danielle Truitt to star as “Rebel” Cole, and Giancarlo Esposito as her lieutenant.

Joining them will be Mykelti Williamson, Cliff “Method Man” Smith and Brandon Quinn, playing her father, her ex-husband, and her police officer partner respectively.

The fresh face of the group, Danielle Truitt got her start in theatre. Recently, she performed her one woman play, “3: Black Girl Blues” to sold out audiences at the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York. Some of her other stage credits include the West Coast premiere of “The Mountaintop,” “Dreamgirls,” “In the Heights,” “A Raisin in the Sun” and “Hair.”

Her limited TV work includes appearances in a handful of TV series on ABC and Fox – “Super Fun Night” and “Mulaney.”

The series is produced by Mar Vista Entertainment for BET and co-written, executive produced and directed by Singleton.

Danielle Truitt

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