Iconic Oscar and Emmy winner Cicely Tyson has joined Season 1 of Ava DuVernay’s upcoming anthology series at OWN. The casting makes Tyson one of the oldest–if not the oldest–series regular on television.
DuVernay’s second scripted series at OWN will “chronicle the stirring romance of one couple, with each episode spanning a single day. The season-long narrative will unfold to reveal significant moments in a relationship that compel us to hold true to the ones we love, from the extraordinary to the everyday.” DuVernay is the creator and executive producer through Array Filmworks from Warner Horizon Scripted Television. The filmmaker has an overall deal with the studio.
Tyson joins previously cast series regulars, Alano Miller and Xosha Roquemore. Tyson, who recurs in guest-starring stints on How to Get Away with Murder, will play Miss Luma Lee Langston, a legendary star of stage and screen in decades past. Gently James (Roquemore) is Luma’s live-in assistant and is encouraged by her wise employer to enter into a romance with Evan Fisher (Miller).
“Last November I was honored to present Ms. Tyson with her Honorary Academy Award®, so to have the opportunity to work with this force of nature who has inspired multiple generations with her talent and grace is beyond anything I can describe,” said DuVernay. “I am over the moon that Miss Tyson will bring Miss Luma Lee Langston to life in ‘Cherish the Day.’ Each day that she walks on set is a master class.”
Cherish the Day is produced for OWN by Array Filmworks and Harpo Films in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes, Tanya Hamilton and Oprah Winfrey are executive producers. Hamilton is directing the series premiere, written by DuVernay.
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