No surprise here. The Oprah Winfrey Network is optimistic about its new drama featuring the channel’s namesake.
Greenleaf, which doesn’t premiere until June 21, has received a pickup for a second season at the cable network, it was announced Thursday. It marks the relatively young channel’s first scripted series not produced by prolific partner Tyler Perry.
The megachurch-set drama, from scribe Craig Wright, stars Merle Dandridge, Lynn Whitfield and Keith David. Winfrey has committed to a recurring role on the project, her first in 20 years. Greenleaf is produced for OWN by Lionsgate. The second-season order is for 13 episodes.
OWN is becoming increasingly invested in scripted programming. The success of Perry’s suite of series — If Loving You Is Wrong, For Better or Worse, Love Thy Neighbor, The Haves and The Have Nots — prompted the network to order both Greenleaf and Ava DuVernay-produced Queen Sugar.
Greenleaf, which debuted Wednesday night at Tribeca Film Festival, will get a two-night premiere on OWN on June 21 and 22.
