Lifetime is ready to put its spotlight on the real MVP behind one of the NBA’s biggest stars.
The female-skewing cable network has greenlit The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story, based on the life of NBA star Kevin Durant’s mother.
Produced by A+E Studios and Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit, the TV movie centers on Pratt, a single mother who struggled and sacrificed to raise her two sons, Tony and Kevin Durant. The latter, the NBA’s MVP in 2014, dedicated the trophy to his mother for all the sacrifices she made to help his career. The movie takes its name from that speech, when Durant called his mother “the real MVP.”
Latifah, Shakim Compere and their Flavor Unit banner will exec produce alongside Pratt. Production on the movie, set to premiere pegged to Mother’s Day this year — is underway in Vancouver.
Cassandra Freeman (Single Ladies) stars as Wanda; Tracie Thoms (Rent) is set as her best friend and confidant, while Pauletta Washington (Wilma) will portray her mother, Barbara. The adult Kevin and Tony Durant will be played by newcomers Daniel Bellomy and Nic Few. Exec producers include Latifah, Compere, Shelby Stone and Wanda Pratt; Gina Ford and Brynee Baylor will co-exec produce. Nelson George will direct the script, which was penned by Yolonda Lawrence (Witches of East End) and Ligiah Villalobos (Ed).
For Latifah’s Flavor Unit, the deal expands her relationship with Lifetime. The actress-producer also starred in and exec produced the cabler’s Steel Magnolias reboot. It marks the company’s latest TV movie, following HBO’s awards season darling Bessie.
