WILMINGTON –– Those antsy to watch the Wilmington-filmed TV series “Our Kind of People” are getting a sneak peek this week after Fox released a 45-second trailer for the drama. The show is continuing to shoot in the Cape Fear area this August and is slated to premiere on the network this September.
The trailer opens with scenes of the beach: “This is Oak Bluffs,” protagonist Angela Vaughn is heard saying over shots of the surf. The series portrays Wilmington and the surrounding areas as the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, a community sometimes referred to as “The Black Hamptons.”
A single mom, Vaughn sets out to make an impact and reclaim her family’s name through her Black, female hair care venture. She soon uncovers a dark secret from her mother’s past that could shake the community.
“I have a secret that will expose them all,” says Vaughn, played by actress Yaya DaCosta.
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Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s bestselling book “Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class,” the series is described as a “soapy, thrilling exploration of race and class in America and an unapologetic celebration of black resilience and achievement.”
The trailer continues to show scenes outside and inside a luxurious home, on a tennis court and by a pool. The project shot at one Landfall residence and another on Wellesley Place. It also filmed at Brooklyn Arts Center, Station No. 2 event venue, Cape Fear Country Club, Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall retirement community, Carolina Apartments on Market Street, the Riverwalk and Greenfield Lake Park.
The series will premiere Sept. 21 and continue running on Tuesdays at 9 p.m., following “The Resident” at 8 p.m.
Lee Daniels, executive producer of “Empire” and “STAR,” is bringing the project to life alongside writer/producer Karin Gist, of “Mixed-ish.”
The show also stars Morris Chestnut, known as Dr. Barrett Cain on “The Resident.” According to Variety, the cast includes Joe Morton, Nadine Ellis, Lance Gross, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Kyle Bary and Alana Bright.
“Our Kind of People” is the second Fox show to film in the Cape Fear in recent years. The docu-com “This Country” wrapped in March.
It is the first Black-centric production to come to Wilmington since “The Sin Seer” in 2015 and “Bolden!,” which was filmed from 2007 through 2015. TW Cast and Recruit has actively tried to hire people of color as extras. The casting calls received some pushback, but the team addressed the criticism on Facebook:
“For those of you who are frustrated by this, please take a moment to reference some of our past shows, in SEVEN YEARS this is ONE OF TWO which have had a heavy focus on People of Color, and if you ask me, it’s long over due.”
Also in town is Hallmark’s “One Summer,” Amazon’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and Netflix’s “Florida Man.”
Netflix has another show, “Echoes,” in pre-production.
“Christmas In Harmony” is preparing to shoot as well, according to the Wilmington Regional Film Commission.
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