BMF (or Black Mafia Family) is an American crime drama television series created by Randy Huggins, which follows the Black Mafia Family, a drug trafficking and money laundering organization. The series premiered on September 26, 2021, on Starz. After the series premiere, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on January 6, 2023. In January 2023, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on March 1, 2024.[1] On February 29, 2024, ahead of the third season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth season.[2]
| BMF | |
|---|---|
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| Genre | Crime drama Gangster (s. 4) True Crime (s. 4) Biography (s. 4) Romance (s. 4) Thriller (s. 4) |
| Created by | Randy Huggins |
| Starring |
|
| Opening theme | "Wish Me Luck" by 50 Cent and Charlie Wilson |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 29 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Running time | 52 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Starz |
| Release | September 26, 2021 – present |
Plot
editBMF is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in the history of America. Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory's charismatic leadership, Terry "Southwest T" Flenory's business acumen and the fraternal partnership's vision beyond the drug trade and into the world of hip hop would render the brothers iconic on a global level. Their unwavering belief in family loyalty would be the cornerstone of their partnership and the crux of their eventual estrangement. It has been described as a story about love, betrayal, and thug-capitalism in the pursuit of the American dream.
Cast and characters
editMain
edit- Demetrius Flenory Jr. as Demetrius "Meech" Flenory, drug kingpin, Charles & Lucille's son, and Terry and Nicole's oldest brother.
- Da'Vinchi as Terry "Southwest T" Flenory, drug kingpin, Charles & Lucille's son, Nicole's older brother and Meech's little brother.
- Russell Hornsby as Charles Flenory, Meech, Terry and Nicole's father, and Lucille's husband.
- Michole Briana White as Lucille Flenory, Charles' wife, and Meech, Terry & Nicole's mother.
- Eric Kofi-Abrefa as Lamar Silas, Meech's rival (seasons 1–4)
- Ajiona Alexus as Katherine "Kato" Eder (season 1)
- Myles Truitt as B-Mickie, Meech & Terry's childhood friend and partner (seasons 1–2).
- Steve Harris as Detective Von Bryant, the detective assigned to stop Meech & Terry's operation.
- La La Anthony as Markeisha Taylor, Terry's new love interest (guest season 1;[3] main season 2–present)
- Kelly Hu as Detective Veronica Jin, Detective Bryant's partner (season 2–present)[3]
- Sydney Mitchell as LaWanda (season 4—present; recurring, seasons 1—3)
- Saweetie as Keeya (season 4—present; recurring, season 3)
- Tyshawn Freeman as Hoop , member of the BMF (season 4—present; recurring, seasons 1—3)
- Kadianne Whyte as Angel (season 4—present; recurring, season 3)
- Kash Doll as Monique, Lamar's ex & Meech's baby mother (season 4—present; recurring, seasons 1—2)
Recurring
edit- Laila Pruitt as Nicole Flenory, Meech & Terry's little sister and Lucille & Charles' daughter
- Wood Harris as Pat, Meech & Terry's former supplier (season 1)
- Snoop Dogg as Pastor Swift, the pastor of the local church (seasons 1–2)
- Lil Zane as Sockie (seasons 1–2)
- Serayah as Lori Walker (seasons 1–2)
- Markice Moore as Filmel, member of the 12th Street (season 1)
- Myles Bullock as Slick, member of the 12th Street, Lamar's best friend (season 1)
- Christian Robinson as Tiny, member of the 12th Street (seasons 1–2)
- Rafael Castillo as Nedo, member of the 12th Street (seasons 1–2)
- Yusef Thomas as Roland, member of the BMF
- Sean Michael Gloria as Detective Jonathan Lopez, Bryant's former partner who was killed by Kato as he tried to detain Meech
- Peyton Alex Smith as Boom, Markaisha's abusive husband (seasons 1–2)
- Christine Horn as Mabel Jones (season 2)[3]
- Leslie Jones as Federal Agent Tracy Chambers (season 2)[4]
- Caresha Romeka Brownee as Deanna Washington, Ty Washington's Wife (season 2)
- Jerel Alston as Kevin Bryant, Detective Bryant's son (seasons 2–3)
- Erica Pinkett as Delia (seasons 2-3)
- Javen Lewis as Markus, Kevin's bully who is killed by Kevin for harassing him constantly (season 2)
- Mo'Nique as Goldie, Meech's new partner who stays in Atlanta (season 2)
- Donnell Rawlings as Alvin, Lamar's cousin (seasons 1-2)
- Mike Merrill as Ty Washington, Meech's partner who was later killed (season 2)
- Jason Louder as Remi Ransom (seasons 2–3) [5]
- Rayan Lawrence as K-9, Meech's loyal partner (season 2)
- 2 Chainz as Stacks (season 3)
- Ne-Yo as Rodney 'Greeny' Green (season 3)
- Lil Baby as Payne
- Bailey Tippen as Kitina "Tina" (seasons 2-3)
- Roberto Sanchez as Loco (season 3)
- Cynthia Bailey as Gloria (season 3)
- Michael King as RIP (season 3)
- Ren King as Henrietta Andreas (season 3)
- Christopher B. Duncan as Frank "Blaze" Andreas (season 3)
- Africa Miranda as Imani (season 4)
- Hasani Vibez Comer as PABoy (season 4)
Cameo appearances
edit- Eminem as White Boy Rick (season 1)
- Jalen Rose as Tariq (season 2)
- Mason Douglas[6] as Tupac Shakur (season 3)
- Shilo Sanders as Deion Sanders (season 3)
Episodes
edit| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 8 | September 26, 2021 | November 21, 2021 | |
| 2 | 10 | January 6, 2023 | March 17, 2023 | |
| 3 | 10 | March 1, 2024 | May 10, 2024 | |
| 4 | 11 | 2025 | 2025 | |
Season 1 (2021)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "See It... Touch It... Obtain It" | Tasha Smith | Randy Huggins | September 26, 2021 | 0.369[7] |
| 2 | 2 | "Rumors" | Tasha Smith | Terri Kopp | October 3, 2021 | 0.386[8] |
| 3 | 3 | "Love All, Trust Few" | Solvan "Slick" Naim | Story by : Frank Renzulli Teleplay by : Randy Huggins | October 10, 2021 | 0.368[9] |
| 4 | 4 | "Heroes" | Solvan "Slick" Naim | Patrick Moss | October 17, 2021 | 0.303[10] |
| 5 | 5 | "Secrets and Lies" | Solvan "Slick" Naim | Kirkland Morris & Terri Kopp | October 24, 2021 | 0.306[11] |
| 6 | 6 | "Strictly Business" | Eif Rivera | Randy Huggins & Kirkland Morris | October 31, 2021 | 0.446[12] |
| 7 | 7 | "All in the Family" | Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson | Terri Kopp | November 7, 2021 | 0.350[13] |
| 8 | 8 | "The King of Detroit" | Tasha Smith | Randy Huggins | November 21, 2021 | 0.503[14] |
Season 2 (2023)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | "Family Dinner" | Solvan "Slick" Naim | Randy Huggins | January 6, 2023 | 0.170[15] |
| 10 | 2 | "Family Business" | Solvan "Slick" Naim | Heather Zuhlke | January 13, 2023 | 0.210[16] |
| 11 | 3 | "Devil's Night" | Janice Cooke | Mike Nguyen Le | January 20, 2023 | N/A |
| 12 | 4 | "Runnin' On E" | Janice Cooke | Patrick Moss | January 27, 2023 | N/A |
| 13 | 5 | "Moment of Truth" | Eif Rivera | Jeff Dix | February 3, 2023 | N/A |
| 14 | 6 | "Homecoming" | Eif Rivera | Kirkland Morris | February 17, 2023 | N/A |
| 15 | 7 | "Both Sides of the Fence" | Crystle Roberson | Garen Thomas | February 24, 2023 | 0.239[17] |
| 16 | 8 | "Push It to the Limit" | Crystle Roberson | Rose McAleese | March 3, 2023 | 0.175[18] |
| 17 | 9 | "High Treason" | Timothy A. Burton | Heather Zuhlke & Shaquayla Mims | March 10, 2023 | 0.263[19] |
| 18 | 10 | "New Beginnings" | Eif Rivera | Randy Huggins & Jazmen Darnell Brown | March 17, 2023 | 0.319[20] |
Season 3 (2024)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1 | "Detroit vs Everybody" | Timothy A. Burton | Heather Zuhlke | March 1, 2024 | 0.250[21] |
| 20 | 2 | "Magic Makers" | Ruben Garcia | Kirkland Morris | March 8, 2024 | 0.214[21] |
| 21 | 3 | "Sanctuary" | Cierra 'Shooter' Glaude | Jazmen Darnell Brown | March 15, 2024 | 0.262[21] |
| 22 | 4 | "The Return of the Prodigal Son" | Princess Monique | Rose McAleese | March 22, 2024 | 0.337[21] |
| 23 | 5 | "The Battle of Techwood" | Anton Cropper | Mike Nguyen Le | March 29, 2024 | 0.220[21] |
| 24 | 6 | "Casualties of War" | Radium Cheung | Garen Thomas | April 5, 2024 | 0.186[21] |
| 25 | 7 | "Get 'Em Home" | Russell Hornsby | Jeff Dix | April 12, 2024 | 0.169[21] |
| 26 | 8 | "Code Red" | Crystle Roberson | Shaquayla Mims | April 19, 2024 | 0.225[21] |
| 27 | 9 | "Death Trap" | Crystle Roberson | Patrick Moss | April 26, 2024 | 0.246[21] |
| 28 | 10 | "Prime Time" | Timothy A. Burton | Tariq Simmons & Heather Zuhlke | May 10, 2024 | 0.159[21] |
Production
editDevelopment
editIn July 2019, it was announced Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson had begun developing a television series revolving around Black Mafia Family, which he would executive produce for Starz.[22] In April 2020, Starz greenlit the series. Production companies are slated to consist of Lionsgate Television and G-Unit Films and Television Inc.[23] On September 30, 2021, Starz renewed the series for a second season only 4 days after the series' premiere.[24] The second season premiered on January 6, 2023.[25] On January 18, 2023, Starz renewed the series for a third season which premiered on March 1, 2024.[26][1]
Casting
editIn December 2020, Russell Hornsby and Steve Harris joined the cast of the series, with Kash Doll set to star in a recurring role.[27] In January 2021, Demetrius Flenory Jr., Da'Vinchi, Michole Briana White, Ajiona Alexus, Eric Kofi-Abrefa and Myles Truitt joined the cast in starring roles.[28][29] In March 2021, Snoop Dogg, La La Anthony and Serayah joined the cast in recurring role.[30] In September 2021, Sean Michael Gloria was cast in a recurring role.[31] In March 2022, La La Anthony had been promoted to series regular while Kelly Hu was cast as a new series regular and Christine Horn and Leslie Jones joined the cast in a recurring role for the second season.[3][4] In February 2023, 2 Chainz and Ne-Yo were cast in recurring roles for the third season.[32][1]
Filming
editPrincipal photography began in January 2021 with filming done in Atlanta and Detroit.[29][33]
During production of season 3 in June 2023, producer Ian Woolf was suspended by Lionsgate following an incident involving Woolf threatening to run over striking writers who were picketing outside of BMF's production facility. Woolf allegedly admitted to trying to scare the writers after first claiming he did not see them, and was unsuccessful in allegedly pleading with Teamsters to cross the picket line.[34]
References
edit- ^ a b c Gelman, Vlada (August 30, 2023). "TVLine Items: BMF Season 3 Premiere, Inside the NFL Host and More". TVLine. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 29, 2024). "'BMF' Renewed For Fourth Season Ahead Of Season 3 Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Petski, Denise (March 11, 2022). "'BMF': La La Anthony Upped To Series Regular, Kelly Hu, Christine Horn Also Cast In Starz Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Petski, Denise (March 17, 2022). "'BMF': Leslie Jones Joins Season 2 Cast Of Starz Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ Clay, Karlton (February 23, 2024). "Actor Jason C. Louder talks Black Lightning, Wu-Tang, and new season of BMF". Yahoo News.
- ^ "Mason Douglas | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 28, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 9.26.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 5, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.3.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 12, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.10.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 19, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.17.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 26, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.24.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 2, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.31.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 16, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 11.14.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 23, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 11.21.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 9, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Friday 1.6.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Salem, Mitch (January 17, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Friday 1.13.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 27, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Friday 2.24.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ Salem, Mitch (March 6, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Friday 3.3.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 13, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Friday 3.10.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
- ^ Salem, Mitch (March 20, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Friday 3.17.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "BMF: Season Three Ratings". TV Series Finale. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ White, Peter (July 26, 2019). "Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson Reveals Black Mafia Family Drug Trafficking Drama Will Be Next Project At Starz – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Day-Ramos, Dino (April 6, 2020). "'Black Mafia Family' Drama Series From 50 Cent Greenlighted By Starz". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Caruso, Nick (September 30, 2021). "BMF Renewed for Season 2 at Starz". TVLine. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (November 25, 2022). "'BMF': Starz Sets Season 2 Premiere Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ Schwartz, Ryan (January 18, 2023). "BMF Renewed for Season 3 at Starz". TVLine. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Petski, Denise (December 17, 2020). "'Black Mafia Family': Russell Hornsby, Steve Harris, Kash Doll Join Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's Series On Starz". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 13, 2021). "'Black Mafia Family': Demetrius "Lil Meech" Flenory Jr. & Da'Vinchi To Star In Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's Series On Starz; Tasha Smith To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Petski, Denise (January 15, 2021). "'Black Mafia Family': Michole Briana White, Ajiona Alexus, Eric Kofi-Abrefa & Myles Truitt Join Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's Series On Starz". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Patten, Dominic (March 11, 2021). "50 Cent's 'Black Mafia Family' Adds Snoop Dogg, La La Anthony & Serayah To Starz Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (September 24, 2021). "The Walking Dead: World Beyond' Casts Wes Jetton; Sean Michael Gloria Joins 'BMF'". Deadline. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 21, 2023). "'BMF' Adds 2 Chainz & Ne-Yo To Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ "50 Cent's 'Black Mafia Family' Begins Filming With Tasha Smith Directing". Ice Cream Convos. January 19, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (June 9, 2023). "BMF Producer Suspended by Studio After Incident With Striking Writers". TVLine. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
