Lee Daniels’ New Drama ‘Star’ Receives FOX Series Order

Lee Daniels StarLee Daniels clearly has FOX’s support after introducing the world to Empire and the Lyon family, which is why it’s not surprising that his next drama with the network has already received a series order.

Star was announced in October and is the project is the first to emerge from Daniels’ multi-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television. The new drama will follow the story of three young women, Star, Alexandra and Simone, all with hopes of making it big. Together, the three will chase their dreams in the glamorous but highly competitive Atlanta music scene and find out what kinds of choices they’re willing to make to become superstars. The series will showcase the allure and heartache of the cut-throat music scene, while also exploring cultural themes from a new perspective.

The cast has already begun taking shape, with Daniels casting three newcomers, Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O’Grady, in the lead three roles. Queen Latifah has also signed on to the project, playing Carlotta, described by the network as “a woman with an amazing voice who owns an Atlanta beauty salon. She becomes a surrogate mother to the girls, but doesn’t wholeheartedly agree with their dreams of stardom.” Emmy Award nominee Benjamin Bratt will also co-star and musician Lenny Kravitz has signed on to guest star.

You can read more about the girls’ roles, thanks to FOX, below:

  • Jude Demorest, from Detroit, MI, has landed the role of “Star,” the tough 18-year-old who spent her childhood in and out of foster homes after the death of her mother, and who will do anything to become the star she was named to be.
  • Ryan Destiny, from Detroit, MI, has been cast as “Alexandra,” the wealthy 20-year-old who grew up on New York’s Upper East Side, but who, for years, has tried to put her privileged world behind her, so she can make real, authentic music.
  • Brittany O’Grady, from Washington, DC, will play “Simone,” Star’s younger sister who dreams of the day Star will return to rescue her from the abusive foster home in which she was placed five years before.

Star will film in Atlanta and premiere on FOX during the 2016-2017 television season.

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