The project from Jesse Collins Entertainment will be the first scripted music-focused television movie to air on the network.
- Aug 11, 2015
AceShowbiz - A new BET Networks miniseries will reunite five members of New Edition. The network and Jesse Collins Entertainment announced on Monday, August 10 that Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant had all signed on as co-producers of the untitled project.
According to the press release, it will be a three-night miniseries that begins shooting early 2016 for a premiere later that year. "It's been a long time coming and that time is finally here! Now that we have signed the deal, New Edition's journey will be captured in a three night miniseries to tell our life story through our very own eyes," New Edition said.
The '80s boyband continued, "We are happy to have New Edition Enterprises collaborate with BET Networks' Debra Lee and Stephen Hill along with Jesse Collins Entertainment. From our beginning in the Orchard Park Projects in Boston to Hollywood and everything in between, just like The Temptations and Jackson 5 - we are ready to retrace our footsteps and show everyone how we got here. For the fans all over the world, this one's for you."
Jesse Collins of "Real Husbands of Hollywood" is executive producer. "New Edition's music is woven into the fabric of our culture. When I brought the idea to BET years ago, I wanted to create a film that would tell the story of how New Edition emerged into one of the most important groups of its generation. I am so grateful that Stephen Hill and his team are giving Jesse Collins Entertainment the opportunity to chronicle the lives of these music icons," Collins said.
New Edition longtime manager Brooke Payne is also co-producer. Abdul Williams of "Lottery Ticket" will provide the script but the miniseries is yet to find a director.
New Edition was famous for such hits as "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now" and "Mr. Telephone Man". The press release did not mention founding member Bobby Brown's involvement in the project. Brown was recently struck with family tragedy including the death of his daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown.
