February 5, 2019 (2019-02-05) – July 15, 2020 (2020-07-15)
American Soul is an American musicaldrama television series, created byJonathan Prince and Devon Greggory, that premiered on February 5, 2019, onBET. The series tells the story ofDon Cornelius and the creation of his legendary music and dance programSoul Train and it stars an ensemble cast includingSinqua Walls, Jason Dirden, Iantha Richardson, Christopher Jefferson, Katlyn Nichol, Jelani Winston, andKelly Price. In April 2019, it was renewed for a second season, which premiered on May 27, 2020.
American Soul tells the story ofDon Cornelius, "hisSoul Train dancers, crew and musicians in a cutthroatHollywood in the1970s and how they worked, played, rose and fell against the backdrop of the show that was most responsible for the way African-American culture was perceived by the world then."[1]
The first season takes place between the first two seasons ofSoul Train between 1971 and 1973. The second season jumps ahead two years later in 1975.[2]
Phillip Mullings Jr. as Patrick Lorriane, aLAPD detective and husband of Tessa (season 1)
Simeon Daise as Reggie Michaels, revolutionary gangster
Joseph Lee Anderson as Joseph Clarke, aVietnam veteran, husband of Brianne, and father of Simone and Kendall, who is killed while on atour of duty in Vietnam
James Devoti as Brooks Donald, a slightly bigoted business partner of Don's
On April 10, 2018, it was announced thatBET had given a series order to the production for a first season consisting of ten episodes. Executive producers are set to include Jesse Collins, Jonathan Prince and Devon Greggory. Tony Cornelius will co-executive produce alongside Andy Horne. Greggory will write the pilot episode and Jesse Collins Entertainment will produce.[1][21][22] On September 4, 2018, it was confirmed that Greggory and Prince had created the series and that Prince would also co-write the pilot episode.[23] On November 25, 2018, it was announced that the series would premiere on February 5, 2019.[24] On April 2, 2019, it was announced that the series was renewed for a second season which will premiere on May 27, 2020.[25][26]
In September 2018, it was announced thatSinqua Walls, Jason Dirden, Iantha Richardson, Christopher Jefferson, Katlyn Nichol, Jelani Winston, andKelly Price had been cast in series regular roles and thatKelly Rowland would appear in a recurring capacity.[23][27][28] On October 12, 2018, it was reported thatShannon Kane and Perri Camper had been cast in recurring roles.[29] On December 21, 2018, it was announced thatMichelle Williams,Bobby Brown,Gabrielle Dennis, McKinley Freeman, andK. Michelle would make guest appearances.[30]
Principal photography for the series commenced inAtlanta,Georgia on September 17, 2018[27] and was scheduled to last until December 2018.[31] In September 2018, filming for the series transpired atPullman Yard on September 17, inDowntown Atlanta on September 18, at theAtlanta Motor Speedway on September 19, and atArmour Yard on September 20.[32] In October 2018, filming continued in Atlanta with shooting taking place at Pullman Yard on October 7 and at the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center inBuckhead on October 27.[33] In November 2018, filming occurred inSandy Springs, Georgia, on November 9 with shooting place at a Robert Green designed private home and in Downtown Atlanta on November 27.[34] In December 2018, the production was working out ofPalmetto on December 10 and 11.[35]
On January 29, 2019, the series held its New York premiere at the New World Stage inNew York City. Those in attendance included BET Networks President Scott Mills, executive producer Tony Cornelius, and actors Sinqua Walls, Kelly Price, Jason Dirden, Naturi Naughton, Jelani Winston, Katlyn Nichol, Shannon Wallace, Christopher Jefferson, and Iantha Richardson.[36]
On February 4, 2019, the series held its Los Angeles premiere at the Wolf Theatre inLos Angeles, California. Those in attendance included Sinqua Walls, Jason Dirden, Tami Roman, McKinley Freeman, Tank, Robert Townsend, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Tommy Davidson, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Tony Cornelius, Christina Cornelius, Scott Mills, Leon Robinson, Kenny Burns, Jesse Collins, Christopher Jefferson, Candace West, Katlyn Nichol, Iantha Richardson and India McGee.[37][38]
The series has been met with a positive response from critics upon its premiere.Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 70 out of 100 based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[39]
