Omarion To Star In AllBlk Series ‘Involved’, Based On His Life, Casting Call Set For Co-Lead
Omarion
AllBlk, the streaming service from AMC Networks, has ordered a scripted dramedy series titled "Involved," loosely based on the life of Omarion, formerly a member of the boy band B2K. Omarion, whose real name is Omari Ishmael Grandberry, co-created and will star and executive produce the series. The streamer is also holding a national casting call for the series co-lead, with the call taking place at the 27th Annual American Black Film Festival.
"Involved" follows OB Sharp, who has been a boy band superstar since childhood. Now on the verge of a worldwide tour, he secretly wants to leave the group to be a more present dad and have a better co-parenting relationship with his child's mother, who lives in his guest house with her new boyfriend. The only person who has always understood him and his lifestyle is his best friend, Maya, who is openly Bi. They've always had an intimate connection without being physical; however, all that changes when they meet Edy, an eclectic flower shop owner with a free spirit and fluid lifestyle. Suddenly, OB's love life gets an extreme makeover, and together, they discover their new normal as a throuple. Faced with a multitude of changes in a short timeframe, OB Sharp is adjusting to new normals within himself, relationship and family dynamics, and new business ventures.
Omarion competed in season five of The Masked Singer, was part of the cast of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, and has starred in movies such as Somebody Help Me and The Proud Family Movie. The pilot of "Involved" is being written by Kevin G. Boyd and directed by Bentley Kyle Evans, who will serve as co-showrunners. Michelle Le Fleur will also executive produce alongside AllBlk's General Manager Brett Dismuke and SVP of Development & Production Nikki Love.
The casting call, which will take place between June 14-18 in Miami Beach, is being launched for the character of Shayla Williams. OB slid into Shayla's DM after seeing her at Usher's birthday party in Atlanta. They hooked up, the chemistry was crazy, and two years later, Cammy was born. Now, years later, the relationship is a wrap, and for Cammy's sake, Shayla lives in OB's guest house. The problem is, she's still a little bitter, and she knows how to push O's buttons. The latest was to move her struggling rapper boyfriend in without OB knowing. Lance Gross (House of Payne) will serve as the celebrity reader for the casting call.
"Just like multi-hyphenated entertainers Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence, and Will Smith, who have all influenced and inspired me and a whole culture, Involved is intended to inspire, shift, and impact the culture of American society's thinking and understanding of special family dynamics. There is no better way for us to learn about and observe these cultural diversities than through the medium of entertainment," said Omarion.
"As a leader in programming by and for Black voices, we know our audience will appreciate such an intriguing and compelling story," added Dismuke.
