In addition to the Viacom-owned network’s staples – like the Hip Hop Awards and 106 and Park – BET is adding a handful of web sereis to its roster, many of which were created, written by, and star individuals who Tubefilter readers will find familiar. The shows include:
Odessa is also a ValDean Entertainment production featuring Thompson, Skai Jackson (Arthur, Boardwalk Empire) as Odessa, Richard Herd (Star Trek), Fullvio Cecere (Battlestar Galactica), Mark Gantt (The Bannen Way), James DeBello (Cabin Fever), and Clayne Crawford (24). Brian Rolling is Thompson’s producing partner and Jorge Rivera (Rhyme Animal) is his writing partner on the series, while Angel Acevedo (We Need Girlfriends) also helped produce and Jesse Warren (The Bannen Way)and Alex Albrecht (Diggnation) are on board to direct a few episodes. (I told you there were going to be a lot of names you’d recognize!)
BET will distribute its web original programming across all BET digital platforms, including BET.com, BET Mobile, and BET on Demand, according to the press release.
“It’s an accomplishment for all the people doing great things in digital to be recognized and picked up by a network,” Al Thompson told me over the phone while on his way to the BET Upfronts. He added that what initially attracted BET to both his series was the quality of the productions. “I use great actors and very talented people in my digital projects,” said Thompson. “BET recognized and valued that.”
It’s the kind of quality that could easily translate into a television show, an opportunity Thompson is well aware of. “I’m keen on doing second seasons of these series, but TV is definitely a possibility down the road,. This could be an incubation period for the series, especially if BET wants to get into more dramas.” said Thompson.
Stay tuned for more news on the deals and when you can catch the BET originals online.
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